The Importance of Manual Work for Men

Manual work is crucial for reclaiming and rebuilding masculinity. In a world where masculinity is under attack and often punished, manual work provides a mechanism for men to cultivate and center real, well-rounded, and durable masculinity. Organized sports and private schools are often false solutions, failing to foster true masculinity. Engaging in tool-based manual work, such as woodworking or metalworking, allows men to create lasting objects, develop problem-solving skills, and demonstrate their competency. Manual work confers power, knowledge, and wisdom, fulfilling men's desire for agency in the physical world. Parents should aggressively support their boys' engagement in manual work, while schools should restore shop classes focused on tool work.