Written by Grace Sargent

I’ve noticed something shifting among young men today, even at South Dakota’s most conservative state university. There’s a new cultural image of manhood emerging—one that embraces passivity, emotional sensitivity, and a new aesthetic. Painted nails, softer speech, and a noticeable lack of traditional masculinity now seem to be traits some women find attractive. At first, I didn’t give it much thought. But the more I observed, the clearer it became: what it means to “be a man” is being redefined, and not necessarily for the better.

This redefinition isn’t about personal style or preference, but reflects something deeper. These aren’t the men who reflect the strength of those who came before us: the protectors, the providers, the ones who led their families with conviction and stood for something greater than themselves. Instead, there’s a rising model of manhood that celebrates emotional availability, avoids confrontation, and too often steps aside in the name of not offending. And rather than questioning this shift, society (particularly feminist circles) cheers it on as moral progress.

So, where’d the strong men go?

A thought occurred to me when I was considering all of this because this whole concept of feminized masculinity has increased in popularity in the last few decades… It really should be of no surprise considering the amount of estrogen in our soy-infiltrated diets, but I believe it comes down to the lack of responsibility and lack of duty taken by Christian men to train up children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6). 

Statistics are showing that men are leading the numbers in church attendance compared to women—and while it’s hugely encouraging that they are leading the trend to step up, unless those religious encounters are bringing life changing convictions, those numbers don’t mean anything. 

I want to make the case to bring back manly men—not caricatures, not shallow macho posturing—but godly, grounded, courageous men. 

Charlie Kirk said it well, “The status of modern American Christianity is a husk of its former self. Church should be a place where you are reminded that you fall short of the glory of God. Church is a place where you need to be told by your pastor, by your shepherd that you need to repent, and repentance will lead you to revival. Church is not a place where you go and hear a TedTalk from a motivational speaker with good music, organized parking, and above average coffee. Church is a place where you honor the Holy and the Divine, and you come at the cross and say, ‘Only You, Jesus Christ.’” What is missing in modern Christianity is the convicting message of the Gospel that changes your life in such a way that you can never go back to your old self. Instead we have a watered down, feelings and emotion based Gospel. 

What does it mean to be a man in America? It certainly doesn’t mean taking a back seat and “letting Mom handle it”. It’s not the muscular guy posing with a bunch of girls in bikinis holding rifles trying to sell you protein powder. 

I’d argue that the strong man that America so desperately needs is he who takes it upon himself to be the provider for his household, who denies himself, and defends his faith and his family above himself. Being a man in America is having the boldness to say something that is true that could get you fired or cancelled. 

Take the case of Daniel Penny, the Marine who restrained a violent man on a New York subway to protect others, only to be painted by the media as a murderer. He didn’t act out of hate, but out of duty. That’s what strong men do: they respond when others are in danger. They don’t look away. They don’t freeze. They act. 

But today, that kind of courage is branded “toxic masculinity.” Meanwhile, we rarely hear discussions about toxic femininity, or the broader impact of a culture that punishes strength and rewards passivity. 

Masculine culture has been exchanged for a ‘rule-following’ culture that holds itself to the standards set by bureaucracy instead of the Bible. We’ve adopted the idea that by following the rules, popular approval and emblems of success will be achieved. 

The narrative begins to shift for the better when men in this nation—especially Christian men—stand firmly on their Spirit-led convictions and say, ‘No, I won’t participate in this. I won’t affirm pronoun use, take a forced vaccine, or accept that churches are nonessential. You can choose that path, but you won’t force it on me or my children.’

That’s when the tide turns—when obedience to conviction overtakes obedience to culture. 

Biblical masculinity is not about seeking pleasure, but about putting to death the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13). It’s about humility, integrity, and responsibility. It’s about embracing duty—something our narcissistic culture resists. Christianity calls us away from self-centeredness. Once you’ve surrendered to Christ, life is no longer about “my truth,” “my feelings,” or “my desires.”  

Micah 6:8 says it clearly: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”

Marriage, parenting, hard work—these aren’t burdens to avoid, but sacred responsibilities to embrace. Feelings are not the standard—responsibility is. Biblical manhood isn’t about comfort; it’s about obedience. That courageous obedience is what’s missing today.

So I ask: will Christian men step up?

Will they commit to what really matters—to the Lord, to truth, to justice, with courage and conviction? 

Not by lifting more weights or posturing for social media, but by speaking truth when it comes at a cost to self. By confronting injustice, even when it’s uncomfortable. By choosing what is right over what is easy. 

Enough with training men to be passive, fearful, and silent. When Christian men return to the truth of Scripture and reclaim their God-given role, this country can, and will, change.