May 7, 2021
Although boys don’t automatically become men, there are stages that they pass through in their growth and development. Borrowing language and references from learning to be a master craftsman, we talk about 4 distinct stages boys progress through in their journey of becoming the men they were created to be. And when you understand and cooperate with those stages it makes you an even more effective father.
Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Expanded Notes:
4 Keys Stages of Manhood:
- Novice (0-12)
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- Experiencing life as a boy, becoming more and more curious about what it means to be a man
- He needs engagement, nurturing, preparation for next stage
- Apprentice (13-18)
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- Asking questions like “what is a man”, or “how do I become a man?”
- Ideal age for the initiation process
- He needs guiding, training, and releasing
- Journeymen (19-30’ish)
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- Responsibility shift for him from learning to doing
- He needs encouragement, support, partnership
- Master (30+)
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- Like a black belt, there’s mastery but the learning continues
- See Fathered By God for a more in depth look
- Still needs love, affirmation and encouragement
- Familiarity and cooperation with these stages will help you as a dad
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- Work in current stage to prepare him for the next
- Recognize how your role shifts with each stage
- Remember: relationship first, love always