ArlenJ.com
July 14, 2021
Once upon a time, men opened doors for women, pulled women’s chairs out for them at dinner, and defended women when they were in danger. That was prior to the 1990s. It was called chivalry, etiquette and being a gentleman. But that’s all changed in the 21st century with social (#MeToo) and “scientific” conditioning.
A 2015 study by Northeastern University researchers is entitled, “Nonverbal and Verbal Expressions of Men’s Sexism in Mixed-Gender Interactions.” It created a pseudo-phenomenon called “benevolent sexism.” Professor Judith Hall, co-author of the study, told Cosmopolitan magazine that chivalry is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. She said nice gestures by men are “paternal” and entice women to accept a subordinate role. In other words, chivalry and being a gentleman are sexist now.
Unfortunately men are devolving to fit these new societal norms.
Men are fatter
The United States is the most obese country of all the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member nations. And it isn’t very close. Obesity afflicts 40% of Americans. Chile is second at 34.4%. But American men specifically have transformed over the last 60 years.
The average American man was 5’8 and 166 pounds in the early 1960s, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Men are an inch taller today, but weigh about 200 pounds on average. Waistlines average 40 inches today. Larger food portions are a major culprit. Americans consumed 20% more calories in 2020 versus 1983, according to the Department of Agriculture. Low-fat foods typically have low animal fats but high trans (artificial) fats.
Inactivity is also causing men to become more portly. About half of all jobs required at least moderate physical activity in 1960. That number plummeted to 20% of jobs in 2011. Thus men are burning about 140 less calories per day.
Men have less physical strength
Sports, particularly the NFL and NBA, are completely different games in 2021 versus 1991 (COVID notwithstanding). Rule changes are the biggest reasons for this. But perhaps professional sports leagues are adjusting to the new 21st century man.
The Journal of Hand Therapy published a revealing study in 2016. It measured grip (how hard you can squeeze something) and pinch (how hard you can squeeze something between two fingers) strength in men ages 20 to 34. The average grip strength was 98 pounds of pressure, compared to 117 pounds of pressure from men in 1985. Pinch strength was also lower in Millennials versus 1985. Researchers concluded that grip strength is the best predictor for overall strength since you must be able to hold onto heavy objects (e.g. bench press bar) to lift them.
Sedentary jobs and less physical activity overall were cited as the primary reasons for weaker men in the 21st century.
Build your alpha wavelength
Let’s face it – men today are nothing like their fathers. Baby Boomer and Generation X fathers fixed things around the house, changed oil in cars, taught you how to fish, fire a gun, etc. But those practices waned in Millennials and Generation Z.
CBS 2 in Pittsburgh reported in 2011 that only 51% of men can unclog a toilet (heard of a plunger?). The report also found that 40% of men cannot do anything at all related to home repairs and improvements. They prefer calling professionals instead of attempting the tasks themselves. The United States, as a country, doesn’t build or manufacture anything anymore. More than 35% of American jobs were in manufacturing in the 1940s. That number was 8.7% in 2015.
Men must build things not only for survival, but for sanity. Author Steven Friedman wrote a great article highlighting how building things gave him purpose and peace. Alpha men are creators. They are connected to their Internal Monologue Systems (IMS). Alpha men understand that they are only as productive and successful as their minds and bodies are sharp and healthy, respectively.
Mindset training is critical for the alpha man. The ALPHA by Prodigy Mindset Gym™ is personal training for your alpha brain wavelength. A strong, healthy body coupled with conscious command are the gateways to fruitful, fulfilling lives. Learn more about The ALPHA by Prodigy Mindset Gym™ today.