I found this video on Yahoo. Anything that deals with masculinity and how it is played out in culture fascinates me and I am drawn to it. This is a story of a 6th grader who was beat up and bullied for being a male cheerleader.

Before we get into this though, let me point this one cultural observation out. His mother is there with him in the interview, but you never once hear the boys father mentioned. That my friends, my fellow men, is a travesty. I love that his mother is standing up for him, but where is a man to teach him what it means to be a man (please withhold judgement on me until you read the rest…)? 

Regardless of what your stance on whether a man should be a cheerleader or not - let me ask you these questions:

• Do men have to be into sports?
• Do they have to be rugged?
• What does being strong mean?
• What if your son cries?
• Can they be into fashion?
• Can they like to cheer or dance?
• What if your son wants to be a ballerina?
• What if he wants to learn to style hair?
• What if your son wants a pedicure or manicure?
• What if your son wears cardigans and wants to be an equestrian or dog trainer?
• What if…

Masculinity is a complex and difficult thing. Men, we as fathers, brothers, friends, mentors, etc., get to model Biblical masculinity.

Let me ask you, what does that mean?

Biblical masculinity means being like Jesus because He was and is the only perfect man. That means, that He alone was truly masculine. Let me tell you, Jesus was tough, strong and masculine. But he was also emotional (properly), he wept, cried and grieve. Jesus had righteous anger. Jesus had perfect love. Jesus had perfect sacrifice. Jesus was a perfect leader. Jesus was a perfect provider. Jesus had a perfect relationship with His father. Simply put, biblical masculinity means being like Jesus. Jesus had perfect love, so we should love our sons regardless of what interests they have and support them in it. 

After all, Jesus loved us even before we got cleaned up and came to Him. So, if Jesus can forgive our sins can’t we love how our son may have a unique appeal to cheer-leading?