State Sponsored Manliness?

Interesting article from the New York Times about China's efforts to recruit more male teachers. Why? They're worried that a shortage of male teachers has produced a generation of timid, self-centered and effeminate boys. Chinese educators are working to reinforce traditional gender roles and values in the classroom. "Men have special duties, they have to be brave, protect women and take responsibility for wrongdoing."

Schools have asked boys to sign petitions pledging to act like "real men." (That concept has yet to be defined.) Principals are trying boys-only classes with courses like martial arts, computer repair and physics, (things that women obviously can't do!). In this country and elsewhere there is active recruiting of more women in the sciences and research and development and creativity in general.

There is a general anxiety about boys in Chinese society. While boys outnumber girls as a result of the long-standing one child policy and a cultural preference for sons, they lag in academic performance. But “The State,” in it's infinite stupidity, is putting their hope in male role models who they believe impart lessons on "assertiveness, courage and sacrifice."

First, there are so many women whose lives and work are examples of true and lasting values and behavior. Second, why is learning these things from a female role model such a problem? Are those lessons any less important or doable because a competent, grown up adult female is the role model?

Parents have accused schools of propagating rigid concepts of masculinity and gender norms. Female educators have denounced efforts to attract more male teachers with lavish perks as sexist. I do not remember having a male teacher until junior high school. I agree with those who say having female teachers was a positive experience and positive influence. One female teacher in the article said,"We have a more intuitive sense of children's needs."

The crux of the matter rests upon the idea that, "It isn't the responsibility of schools to teach boys to be boys. It's the responsibility of the parents." I talk with my daughter all the time about the experience of her first year teaching first graders. I hear this constantly from her and others as well. Parents tell her they don't have time to sit and do homework with their children. Many parents seem to think that signing up their children for school transfers the responsibility of socializing and teaching them how to behave as members of a group to the school. They are usually the ones who complain the loudest and the most.

One of my Leynorisms, "Genitals Are Not Entitlement To Parenthood.!!!" One Chinese "educator" who wrote a book titled, "Save The Boys" claims that Chinese students were increasingly distant from male role models, INCLUDING THEIR FATHERS! Will male teachers be the magic fix they're looking for to perpetuate the gender roles of their culture?

You want to teach boys how to be men? Teach them that Real Men don't abuse women, Real Men are confident to share power with women, Real Men can learn great lessons from both genders as long as the teachers have character, integrity and values. Instead of looking to “The State” for teaching children how to live, parents would achieve much better results by teaching – and demonstrating -- Values that benefit all people for the Common Good.

TOV Values are Time-Tested Values that place LIFE as the Highest Value and Top Priority. Gender Equality is a Core Value and a Basic Requirement of Life – a Value that must be Protected and Preserved for to make Life More Functional and Increases the Quality of Life.  Consumer Virus Memes have infected the minds of our generation. This memetic virus causes Americans to see themselves as “consumers” of school systems, political systems, religious systems, etc. The foundation of a good healthy society is the family and that makes parenting one of the most important roles in the world. Our goal at the TOV Center is to help parents succeed in that role.

For those living in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex area I have a special request.

I want to meet with people and share the TOV Center vision of helping individuals incorporate Time-Tested TOV Values in their lives, assist them in creating Values-Based Relationships and then networking together to make their lives better and safer.

● Would you like to meet with me and attend a meeting?

● Would you host a meeting?

If your answer is “yes” to either or both of the above questions – email me by clicking here. I am looking forward to seeing you and sharing our vision.

Shalom,

Rabbi Jeffrey Leynor