Making a case for masculinity is out of style today in the U.S. Yet it seems never in recent decades has there been a more urgent need to make this case.
On New Year’s Eve two more people were murdered in Minneapolis. One stabbed to death, another gunned down. One case has been higher profile with the victim’s family and employer being active. But normally, these murders go under the radar to the tune of dozens per year.
The recent decades' rise of gangs, drug abuse, and violence aligns with the rise of fatherless households. In all, the vast majority of murders here in the Twin Cities are the result of communities lacking the guidance of healthy masculinity. The result: Masculinity becomes toxic in its shows of dominance and aggression.
There exists in the U.S. a complicated blend of ideologies and apathy and trending social narratives that contribute to this masculinity crisis being ignored—and so these murders continue. Year after year.
Groups like Vj Smith's MADDADS are working their butts off to help steer young offenders in the right direction. The Center for Fathering at Urban Ventures offers support to dads across the city. Support for such groups, as well as research into these problems plaguing our communities, will be the purpose of The Periphery Foundation.
We hold our first board meeting the middle of this month.
