Raising Boys and the Making of a Man

In this day and age, I believe a young boy could grow up and go their entire life without getting a good idea of what it really means to be a man. Some were blessed enough to have good fathers who understood what it meant to be a man and passed on this knowledge to their sons. Increasingly more so, this is a rarity, as 1/3 of all kids now grow up in a home without their biological fathers. The statistics regarding crime rates associated with those growing up in fatherless homes is startling. I wonder how much crime would simply disappear if every home had a good father figure in it raising children well. How many gangs would simply dry up and disappear? I think cops would find themselves refreshingly bored. I know this is all wishful thinking, but my point is this: fathers need to step up. Think of the impact if you and I came alive as fathers? Your children will grow up and affect the lives of countless others and their children will go on and do the same. This ripple affect - this opportunity of compounding influence - has got to overwhelmingly dwarf whatever the majority of us may hope to accomplish at our jobs. Love your kids men. Teach them to be strong, dedicated, focused, gentle, fierce, loyal - teach them to be men.

[xfallofmanx]

John, my dad died when I was 4. I grew up in a fatherless home with a drug addicted mom. My journey into true “manhood” has taken me a lot longer than it would have otherwise. One thing that has always been very clear to me is how important dads are. I could always physically see the difference they made in other families and some of my best memories are of men taking a few minutes or a few days out of their lives to offer me a hand in understanding my role in the world. As a dad now myself, I’m able to take all of my negative experience in life and use it as motivation to see that my son gets the things he deserves as a growing boy. It’s the most rewarding and emotionally demanding job I’ve ever had.
I guess what I’m saying is that you hit the nail on the head. I carry the scars of growing up without a dad with me everywhere I go. As a man, though, I’m able to decide how those scars affect me. I use them as a reminder of the power I wield in my son’s life and as a motivator to be the best dad I can possibly be.
Just wanted to pass along a thank you.

[shirleyupvall]

Single mom here, so proud of who my sons have become.

[jeffwyatt]

I was lucky as child to have a father, and mother, who knew how to raise a child. The last one to carry the family name. Then I had another. I am proud to have grown another like I was raised. Truly a man's man. We make no excuses for the way we are.

[vonsprague]

There is nothing finer than another strong man speaking from the heart. Our greatest fear and the question we ask ourselves at 3am should always be "do I try every day to be a good Dad" not succeed but try, every day. God bless you brother

[MrMoodyman]

Brought my boy home on Monday. Excited to get to work teaching him by example. Thanks for the quality message.

[markdonohue]

Mic drop video. Was blessed to have the best father one could ask for. For many years I wondered what skills he left me with. Now that he’s passed, I see how nearly everything I do comes as a result of his fathering me.

The Bible says that as men, we are spiritual leaders of our homes. That means you ARE leading your family somewhere. You get to choose where you are leading them; Towards something better, or to the same crappy experiences/influences you had to deal with.

Thanks John. Proud to stand next to you in the faith and in the fight. Keep on brother!

[christianhancock]

As a father of 3 little ones, two of which are boys, i needed to here this. Bless ya John. Thanks for the reminder!

[chriscarter]

Best thing i have heard you teach yet! Huge Eldredge fan here. Read many of his books. Part of protecting our families is raising our children right! So glad to see you using your platform for this good!

[Fjordir]

I absolutely love this. I am a younger father and I strive foe this every day. I think this applys for daughters as well as sons. Both my children hang on every word I say whether I mean for it or not. I learn valuable lessons daily from my kids as do they from me. Thanks for this video

[JavierMoncadaIrias]

Surely God knew how important is marriage and fathers in the upbringing of our Children. Mothers by themselves are awesome but it's been proven not to be enough, dads are also greatly needed. Great Video.

[hempdailypost]

I am that 1/3 and I recognize how that has affected my life and development as a man. It is definitely a complex issue that needs more attention.

In having recently discovered your content, I am pleased to know the Warrior Poet exists. You are a true philosopher and American. Thank you.

[childcustodyguy]

I had a Father's group for years. Your stats are on target. It's nice to see a young person with these values.

[larryneumann]

I believe anyone who listens, watches and absorbs what this man teaches is truly bound to become an all around better person.

[darkdefender]

Statistically if you changed one dad here at helped him be a better dad you literally just changed that entire family lines trajectory from here on out. Subscribed after this one video! This video was amazing!

[OverHillOffroad]

John, I recently found your Channel. I am a Father of 1 Boy and my Wife is pregnant with our 1st Daughter. Your Channel has been a blessing in my life. I am a paramedic on a Med Evac helicopter, a Christ follower and major 2nd Amendment enthusiast so I kinder the Warrior Poet Heart. I really have been looking at your training. Selfishly I wish you offered more Florida and GA classes. I live in Jacksonville, Florida. By any chance you actually see this comment. I just wanted to say thank you for this content. Stay true to the man God has called you to be, God bless

[bricefsvens]

I just became a father for the first time to a beautiful baby girl and I realized when she was born that fatherhood is something that should not be taken lightly. the impact of a father for good is immeasurable. thanks again John for another great video. God bless you and your family.

[brodaviing]

Growing up with a scarred father who was incapable of teaching me how to be a man while being probably one of the best security-tech teachers for young adults like me, I can't overstate the importance of the internet. Without the knowledge that you and many others shared, I'd probably be on a selfdestructive road right now like many lads my age who are unfortunate enough to not find out the right videos and books in time.




God bless you John, and keep up the good fight.

[Life-chrj]

God bless you John. Thanks for all you've done. The world needs more Christian Fathers than anything material.

[dashy]

I grew up in a motherless home, my father spent my entire childhood as an MP and so I grew up on base, as any military brat will say its rare for their parents to be home but when my father was home, yes he made mistakes like all humans, he taught me how to be a man, how to be a good person and faithful, protecting of those around me. I know right from wrong thanks to him, I hope that one day if I have sons I can pass the same mentality onto them, that they have a duty to do what is right in this world and to be good men

[mongoose]

I'm a teenager, and luckily my dad has taught me pretty damn well how to be a real man. He has done all he can for me, and now I need to work on myself. Great talk, and I agree with all of what you said.