American culture loves sports and its icons. Boys are expected from an early age to not only participate in sports, but excel in them. Athletes are hero-worshipped in our society, and paid enormous salaries. No wonder that with all this pressure to perform, boys who find sports less than appealing may feel left out, and even self-conscious.
So, what if your son doesn’t want to play sports, does this mean that something is wrong with him? Not at all! All this really means is that he is an individual with his own unique talents and interests. There are many men who enjoy interests other than sports. Here are just a few examples.
Professional Chefs
When one thinks of baking and cooking, thoughts usually turn to a woman slaving in a hot kitchen. However, men have traditionally excelled as professional chefs. Famous male chefs include: Emeril Lagasse, Anthony Bourdain, and Duff Goldman, to name a few. Let your child enroll in a cooking class, or teach him at home, if this is what he wants to do. A son who enjoys being at his mother’s side in the kitchen, rather than out on the football field, should be encouraged to follow his love for cooking, not hide it.
Musicians
Music is another area in which men often stand out. Classical music has its share of genius’ such as: Ludwig van Beethoven, Johan Sebastian Bach, and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart -- just to name a few. Modern music also has its fair share of male talent. The ability to compose a song, play an instrument, or sing beautifully is a gift that shouldn’t be ignored. If this describes your son, enroll him in music lessons or hire a vocal coach, he just might be the next Clay Aiken or Louis Armstrong!
Authors
William Allen White, Charles Dickens, E. B. White, and Mark Twain are men whose words have been immortalized in the books they have authored. Still today, men, women, and children delve into the pages of their literary works to visit another place in time, peek into the life of an orphan boy, or learn about tolerance for those who are different from us. It is a powerful thing to be able to touch lives with words put to pen. A child who spends his time writing doesn’t waste it. Find ways for him to express himself with the written word. Publish a family newsletter, enroll him in a creative writing class, or let him start his own blog -- the possibilities are endless!
Every Boy Possesses Unique Talents that Should Be Developed
Hopefully, these examples have proven that men do not need to be involved, nor interested, in sports to be men. Each person, male or female, has their own special gifts and abilities that should be given the opportunity to be explored and developed. Parents, let your sons follow their dreams while you stay on the sidelines as a supportive coach, and cheerleader.
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