25 Mar Masculinity and Modern Society: Revisiting Foundational Principles to Address Contemporary Challenges

By,

Dr. Angel A. Diaz – Senior Fellow, MSI2

Masculinity is not the problem. The misrepresentation of masculinity is. For too long, society has blurred the lines between strength and toxicity, painting with broad strokes a picture that leaves our sons confused, our families fragmented, and our future uncertain.

True masculinity isn’t about domination or ego. It’s about responsibility, courage, protection, provision, and principled leadership. A masculine man is not measured by how much power he holds over others, but by how much he gives of himself to those in his care. He’s the father who sacrifices, the husband who shows up every day, the mentor who lifts others higher—not for glory, but because it’s right. He is not afraid to face the fire, nor is he afraid to cry when the weight becomes too much. His emotions are not hidden, they are harnessed.

I’ve learned these lessons firsthand. As a young man in JROTC, I began to understand the value of discipline, service, and responsibility. It laid the foundation for my decision to join the U.S. Navy, where I served for nine years. The military forged my character, tested my limits, and taught me that leadership begins with accountability. But it didn’t end there. After leaving the Navy, I entered civilian life and began a new chapter—working as an engineer at the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), supporting elite military missions with advanced technology solutions.

Masculinity became a scapegoat after the cultural revolutions of the 1960s and 70s. While some criticism of patriarchal systems had merit, the conversation veered off course. Instead of correcting harmful behavior, society began dismantling the entire foundation of manhood. Masculinity was no longer seen as a force for good—it became a threat.

Terms like ‘toxic masculinity’ became commonplace, but few stopped to separate toxicity from masculinity itself. According to Pew Research Center (2022), over 50% of men under 30 feel pressured to suppress their emotions to ‘be a man’. Meanwhile, men account for nearly 80% of all suicide deaths in the U.S. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022). This is a crisis, not of masculinity, but of ‘misunderstood’ masculinity.

Each generation has shaped masculinity differently. The Greatest Generation embodied duty and grit. Baby Boomers experienced a cultural shift that began to question traditional roles. Gen X—my generation—was raised in this aftermath. We learned independence by necessity and became the last analog generation in a digital world. We didn’t whine—we worked.

Today’s young men grow up in a culture that no longer offers clear guidance. One in four men aged 18–29 is neither employed nor in school (Pew Research Center, 2023). Male college enrollment has dropped dramatically, and one in four children in the U.S. grows up without a father at home (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023).

Pop culture has played a significant role in shaping—and distorting—masculinity. We once celebrated complex, noble characters like Rocky Balboa or Atticus Finch. Today, masculine men are portrayed as either violent, idiotic, or completely absent. A 2023 Harvard study found that 72% of young men say they don’t feel represented in modern media. The hunger for meaning is real—but the guidance is gone.

As Gen X men, we stand at a unique crossroads. We understand hardship, and we know what real accountability looks like. We must now serve as the bridge between the past and the future.

This is where leadership theory helps guide us. Servant Leadership (Greenleaf, 1977) calls us to put others first—especially our families and communities. Pragmatic leadership teaches us to lead with results, humility, and a flexible mindset. Our sons need men who model discipline and integrity, not just talk about it.

At the age of thirty, I took the leap that many only dream of—I started my own company. With no guarantees, just grit and a clear vision, I built it from the ground up, weathered the storms, and eventually led it to a successful acquisition. Through that journey, I faced countless setbacks, failures, and moments of self-doubt. But every fall forced me to rise stronger. I became more comfortable with discomfort—able to absorb more pressure, withstand more pain, and carry greater burdens not just for myself, but for my family and my teammates.

A strong man is not complete without his Warrior Queen. History shows us that civilizations flourished when men and women operated in partnership, not opposition. Masculinity honors femininity—it doesn’t compete with it. Together, aligned in purpose, masculine and feminine strength creates legacy.

The warrior mindset is not about violence—it’s about being prepared, mission-focused, and disciplined. Masculinity and the warrior ethos go hand-in-hand. A masculine man rises early, tells the truth, trains his body and mind, and stands his ground. He’s dangerous to those who pose a threat—and a rock for those who need protection.

The decline of our society is no longer theoretical—it’s statistical. Over 41.9% of U.S. adults are obese (CDC, 2023). Testosterone levels in men have declined by over 30% since the 1980s. Boys trail girls in every academic measure. Suicide is now the second leading cause of death among males aged 15–34 (CDC, 2023). Weak men have created hard times. And the price is being paid by our families, our communities, and our nation.

So where do we go from here? Organizational theorist Mary Jo Hatch (1993) offers a blueprint in her Cultural Dynamics Model. Culture evolves in four stages: manifestation (values become symbols), realization (symbols become behavior), interpretation (meaning is constructed), and implementation (norms are adopted). If we want to rebuild masculinity, we must start by reshaping the symbols—redefining what a strong man looks like. Then we model it, live it, and pass it on.

Recently, I undertook the Men of War Crucible—a transformational experience that tested me physically, mentally, and spiritually. It was part of a broader journey I’ve been on to get closer to God and to align my purpose with His calling. That crucible stripped away ego, illusions, and comfort. It reminded me that the difficult road, though often avoided, is the one that transforms us. Every setback, every scar, has become a chapter in my story—and each one has led to a higher level of growth. The harder the challenge, the more refined I became. I often tell my boys and the young men I mentor: always choose the difficult answer. The easy path rarely leads to the right destination.

Challenge yourself. Push yourself. Learn from your mistakes. Keep pushing. Be consistent and disciplined—that is the only way. Leading by example doesn’t just make you stronger; it inspires those around you. Your habits become the standard. Your integrity becomes contagious. And when others see you refuse to quit, they’re empowered to rise too.

This mission starts with us—by working together, men and women of strength and conviction, to set the example. We lay the path for others to follow, normalizing the right behaviors through consistent action. We know what right looks like. We stand for something. But we remain flexible—ready to pivot as conditions shift, yet always marching forward.

We get back up when knocked down. We confront adversity, lead by example, and strive to be the best version of ourselves. We do it not in pursuit of perfection, but because we believe in the journey. Each day, we move forward, inch by inch—sharpening, strengthening, and building a future that honors the past while securing the promise of tomorrow.

This is the return of real masculinity.
And it begins with us.

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References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Suicide rising across the US. https://www.cdc.gov/suicide/facts/index.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023). Adult obesity facts. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html

Greenleaf, R. K. (1977). Servant Leadership: A journey into the nature of legitimate power and greatness. Paulist Press.

Hatch, M. J. (1993). The dynamics of organizational culture. Academy of Management Review, 18(4), 657–693.

Harvard University. (2023). Masculinity and media representation study. [Unpublished study]

Pew Research Center. (2022). What it means to be a man today. https://www.pewresearch.org/

Pew Research Center. (2023). America’s young men: Education and employment statistics. https://www.pewresearch.org/

U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). Living arrangements of children: 2023. https://www.census.gov/