The sentimentalism of our greater culture is a formidable—yet surmountable—challenge to young men. Our sons are relentlessly encouraged to follow their affections and feelings wherever they might lead, whatever their commitments. How can we, as parents and teachers, help our boys to become men who love the world without being pulled off course by the sentiments and affections that are a natural aspect of our God-given humanity?

As part of our parent lecture series at The Heights School, Headmaster Alvaro de Vicente offers his insights to navigating the cultural challenge of sentimentalism by using the virtue of loyalty as a ballast. For when the feelings fail, loyalty helps us to stay the virtuous course—where our yes is yes and our no is no.

Chapters:

[00:02:11] The erosion of loyalty, rise of sentimentalism
[00:05:14] Loyalty: a virtue that trains other virtues
[00:12:36] Sentimentalism: when feelings dominate
[00:17:47] How sentimentalism undermines the good
[00:30:01] Modern boys and sentimental morals
[00:30:48] Training the sentiments
[00:32:39] Naming them
[00:35:22] Practicing self-discipline exercises
[00:38:02] Setting limits on pleasurable activities
[00:39:13] Confronting "emotional attacks"
[00:42:16] Harnessing the sentiments to promote virtue
[00:47:54] Stories of loyalty
[00:55:21] Don't commit lightly: let your yes be yes
[00:59:20] The grace to succeed as parents

Links:

The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis

Featured Opportunities:

Fathers Conference at The Heights School (November 2, 2024)
The Art of Teaching Conference at The Heights School (November 13-15, 2024)

Also on the Forum:

Emotions Fully Alive: Forming Boys' Affectivity Pt. I featuring Joe Cardenas
Emotions Fully Alive: Forming Boys' Affectivity Pt. II featuring Joe Cardenas

Alvaro de Vicente on Forming Loyal Men in a Culture of Sentimentalism