Childbirth is a marvel, childhood is a wonder, youth is a challenge but manhood defines it all. What becomes of a man depends on his progressive development from birth. Men as it seems, though not above but equal to women, are the most dominant of the genders of the human race. This dominance and his innate thought processes makes him capable of leadership. Though such leadership by itself would not be complete without his perfect counterpart, the woman.

In order to direct others the man must be, not macho, but, manly. The qualities of manliness are such as courage & discretion, honor & modesty, assertiveness & humility, devotion & gentleness, truthful & understanding. These qualities must be instilled in a male from childhood until adulthood.

Parents may give thought to how they should best help their son to develop as a male. This, idealy, should be thought of and discussed well before a couple decides to have a child. Remember males are leaders in human society so parents today can have a tremendous impact on how future leadership will affect the human race ahead. Think of what examples you can set for the child and the influential examples of others in his life.

Though parents cannot control what others do and say around their child, they can regulate the child’s exposure to debilitating factors to their attempts to raise a well balanced male child. Admirable ideals early in life more than likely will affect him as an adult. Though parents may try their best, of course we do not live under ideal situations, other factors that they have to contend with will pose a challenge. Extended family members, friends (the child’s and yours) , the media (TV, news, movies, books, magazines etc.) and the personal thoughts of the growing child also influence how he is developing.

Therefore, parents will do well to develop a constant and consistent close relationship with the boy in order to keep communication between them and the child open. Get to know what is on the mind of the growing boy and how he views things. This will help the parents to discern how he is developing and what, if any, adjustments in his development they may need to address and help him to adjust. Parents also need to find the right balance between helping him to develop manly qualities and avoiding the extreme of being overbearing and manipulative.

Training a son to grow up to become the best model citizen who contributes to the well being of his fellow man and woman, society, is a formidable, and yet well worth it, challenge. This can be met in the stages of his growth; pre-infancy, infancy, childhood, boyhood, adolescence, adulthood.

Pre-infancy (about 5-9 months) may seem like a extreme time to start training, but the earlier the traing starts, the better. When do parents start training an pre-infant? How do parents train an pre-infant? The answer is…when it is conceived in the womb. How so, you say? This is done by the demeanor, thoughts, emotions and the subsequent environment of the parents. The pre-infant is developing and thus is affected by what the mother goes through and how the father treats the mother.

Though the father does not have the child, the affects of his environment (thoughts, feelings, job, friends etc.} can influence how he treats his mate. Her reactions, whether positive or negative, will affect the pre-infant. A calm, loving and nurturing environment, even before birth, can initiate such a tendency in the unborn child. There is also the factor of traits that are genetically produced through natural growth. At later stages in the womb the unborn can hear it’s surroundings, even music. Is the music positve and pleasant or negative and boisterous? It does make a difference.

Infancy, (birth-1 year old) when the child is born, is when you can observe visible affects of your grooming your son. What the child focuses on most, what its possible propensities are and what amuses him. Help it to develop its motor skills. This can be done through the use of simple toys, which even when he gets older can stimulate his precious imagination.

Problem solving skills and other talents may be honed from such a beginning. Leaders need such a strong skill as problem solving, first for themselves, then for their families and sometimes for entire countries or the world. Read to the baby boy, hopefully you started reading to him from pregnancy, often, holding him close. Give the boy plenty of hugs and kisses, which not only confirms your love, but also teaches him affection and love. Let the boy also be a boy and avoid being paranoid or over protective of him. Expose the child to as much stimuli as is reasonable. Watch as he develops to recognize his strengths and weaknesses.

Childhood (2-5 years old) is when the boy advances from thoughts and ideas of exploration to the opportunity to explore. When he learns to walk the child gets a big boost in confidence. If he wants to imitate his parents, encourage him to do so in safe and positive things. If he wants to sweep buy him a child’s broom.

Teach him to do or at least imitate other simple choirs. All of this builds character and teaches industriousness. Qualities of a man to be. Continue nurturing and grooming the child while allowing him to develop. Relative discpline should be applied when appropriate. To discipline teaches discipline.

This is what many men lack today. The father and mother should teach the child throughout his growing years. This can produce a well balanced manly man. Since men (fathers) are more analytical and women (mothers) are more sensuous the two can influence the child for good better than either one alone could. The son can also develop a sensitivity toward females.

Boyhood (6-12 years old) now starts the basic final development of his personality. What will he become? The transitions before have become increasingly challenging. But remember, the parents tanacity for training their son may pay off in the long run. Possibly an influencial man of dignity. Perhaps by now you and the child may already know what field of life he may be interested in persuing. Steer him and encourage him in a positive direction.

  Adolescence (13-17 years of age) is the apex of all the transitional growth stages. How the boy reacts toward you as parents and your previous relationship, are put to the test. This is why it is so important to have kept a constantly close communication with him, so that the teen years would be less of a struggle and without a generation Gap. His strength of character can be observed. He searches for more independence and should be given more according to his responsibility. Giving responsibility teaches responsibility. Balanced parents give a son what they sense he is able to handle with regard. During this stage of life parents can help him figure out what he is becoming and wants to become, give him or defend his identity.

 Adulthood (18+ years old) is what you hope your son has gracefully come into the betterment of society. Proper and balanced parental training can develop a man into one that is poised to take on responsibility and leadership. At the same time he would treat others as equals, whether man, woman or child. He also will have respect and deep regard for the earth on which we live. He would put society and his fellow man ahead of himself. Yet he, at the same time would not neglect himself or his family. A manly man we would call him.

If we as parents fulfill our parental responsibility we can present the world with more ideal examples of men. Yes, the manliness of a beloved son makes for a better world to come!