Man in the hood

Back to the Czechs…they have an old proverb that a man must do three things in his life; build a house, have a child and write a book.

For the women in the audience; I have been thinking about this and I believe that it’s pretty spot-on. And here is why:

The ‘having a child’ bit covers off a few things. Firstly, the ability to get into emotionally stable relationships. Secondly, the capability of being a provider of sorts. And finally the satisfaction of completing our genetic ‘responsibility’ (the true purpose of life according to some).

Building a house requires mastery of manual dexterity. This assumes the Czechs don’t mean hiring an architect and a builder to build a house; I think they mean using your own nous and hands. It also requires a man to have project and planning skills, the ability to find bits and pieces, and all sorts of other useful skills. Most importantly a man who builds his own house gets satisfaction out of the process or he wouldn’t do it, and this satisfaction is a sign of a content and mature man. Building a house is also part of being a ‘provider’ for the family.

‘Writing a book’ is a very clever insertion and the least obvious here. But it implies a nurtured intellect and a control of basic instincts. Also, and again, the ability to plan a project and see it through. A sense of ‘contribution’ is also required; that is, a contribution to society. The respect of a peer group, probably of men, is also required and this is very important to men, no matter how how trivial or important the peer group is. Those without it suffer.

I fear that many modern men are being dragged further and further away from activities that lead them to outcomes commensurate with the Czech proverb’s targets.

My message to the women out there is that if you want happy partners that you like being with, then corral them into activities aligned with those described in this missive; even if at times this seems counter to your own desires, needs and emotions. You won’t regret it.