Man Enough: Fathers, Sons, and the Search for Masculinity

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How does a boy learn to be a man? Primarily from his father. However, many boys grow up without caring fathers or male mentors, leaving them to guess what masculinity truly means. They often turn to cultural icons as models, resulting in a distorted view of manhood. In their quest to be "man enough," they may become philanderers, controllers, and competitors, overcompensating for the absence of true role models and unprepared for family life. In this exploration of contemporary male development, psychiatrist and family therapist Frank Pittman uses poignant humor and candor to present case studies, literary examples, and personal anecdotes from his own experiences as a father. He examines hyper-masculine behaviors, illustrating how these men developed and how they can change. Dr. Pittman encourages men to move beyond proving their masculinity and instead practice it by fostering equality and intimacy with their partners and by engaging in fatherhood. He posits that a man raises himself as he raises his children, learning to understand and forgive his parents in the process. This insightful work offers a fresh perspective on commitment, caring, and control, providing a positive model for the fathers of tomorrow's men, making it essential reading for both men and women.