Thread by @ThinkInPeach

Thread: Men and Mentorship

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Humans are naturally hierarchical. These hierarchies are inbuilt to the way we socialise, act and live life.

Manifesting as differentiations between man and woman, parent and child and -- crucially -- men and other men, we should never overlook them.

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Some of these are intrinsic; intelligence, or age.

Some are cultural; power, or position.

But unlike the modern -- "progressive" -- belief that we are 'all equal' these differences are rooted in reality.

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And because hierarchies are rooted in reality, they have benefits.

One of these is mentorship.

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Mentorship is one man who is higher in the hierarchy -- usually older or more proficient in a skill -- taking another who is lower on the rung under his wing, in order to share what he knows.

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Mentorship strengthened in-group dynamics, created social bonds and passed information down the generations.

As a result it served an integral function on many different levels and contributed highly to a society's success.

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But because mentorship was so important, it became integral to the way we experience life.

Men, as a result, have an intrinsic desire -- nay, need -- to both be mentored as a youth, and be a mentor as an elder.

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The best example of this is shown by the way men socialize. Very few actually enjoy the kind of small talk and gossip women engage in. Whilst the modern man must be capable of this, it doesn't speak to his soul.

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Because of how essential mentorship's social functions were, it became rooted in a man's biological experience of life. This is why he enjoys deep, meaningful conversation where he can both learn, and share knowledge.

Epigenetics forces some curious adaptations.

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Another modern expression of this need is men's enjoyment of podcasts. I believe that podcasts serve a similar function to mentorship, allowing men to enter the 'mentee' role.

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Yet this is only necessary because the mentor/mentee role has been all but expunged from modern society.

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As the West has become more and more atomized, there is less place for these natural relationships to emerge within the community.

With more transient living styles, elders do not get to know the youth well enough to get to the stage where they would take them as a mentee.

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With Faith's Demise there is less of a place for religious discipleship, where an older believer mentors a younger one, teaching him timeless wisdom.

thinkinpeach.com/faiths-demise/

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By outsourcing Western manufacturing to third-world countries, the apprenticeship model which sustained the trades has been lost.

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With less cultural focus on fitness, discipline and strength mentor relationships surrounding sport, martial arts and physical endeavors have also been lost.

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All of which leaves young men at a disadvantage.

Not only are they not learning essential skills and wisdom which help educate them in how to be a respectful and characterful man,

but they also lose an essential form of socialization.

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I believe this is a major contributing factor to the soaring rates of male depression and suicide in Western countries.

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It affects these rates so greatly because having no mentorship model hurts both young men (lack of mentor) and older men (lack of mentee).

And each role serves a vital emotional and social function for their respective age group.

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Indeed, the influence of this has led not only to the rise of podcasts, but also the growth in this very sphere of Twitter.

Young men are ACHING for any mentor they can get.

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But whilst there has been a dwindling of opportunities for mentorship, it is still obtainable.

Martial arts offer training.
Religious institutions offer discipleship.
And many of my peers offer paid consultations.

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If you are a young man who feels in need of mentorship, consider reaching out.

I myself am starting to take on a handful of mentees.

If this is something you are interested in, don't hesitate to send me a DM.

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"Weaponized Sex" serves a similar function.

It offers guidance to negotiating sex and the self, something many young men no longer understand.

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gum.co/LdNvQ

Mentorship will never truly die out.

But until it re-emerges as an essential part of culture, men WILL suffer.

Luckily, you are now armed with the power of this knowledge.

So what are you waiting for?
Find yourself a mentor.

23/End Thread