Raising Boys in a Women’s World

Beyonce’s song,  “Run the World (Girls),” and women’s empowerment hashtags might be flooding pop culture right now, but I’m calling on my sisters to highlight the men in their lives today. 

I married up and my husband is the unsung hero of our family.  He doesn’t have a social media platform, and people don’t recognize him in the grocery store. My husband doesn’t attend Men’s conferences or receive daily emails about Men’s empowerment. He works 42 hours a week as a pharmacist.  In addition to his full-time career, he makes our children pancakes EVERY. Single. Morning.  He coaches the boys in wrestling two times per week and puts them to bed each night.  He’s also part of the “Watch Dog” program at the boys’ elementary school, which is similar to the PTA.  Just last month he turned down a job offer he wanted because it wouldn’t allow him to spend as much time with our family.

Chris was the salutatorian of our high school.  He’s gotten one B in his whole life.  He was awarded chemistry student of the year on multiple occasions both in high school and college.  He also did okay when it came to sports; quarterback of the football team and a 3-time state champion wrestler. 

I haven’t done too bad myself.  In high school I averaged around a 3.0.  I was in student council and played volleyball, but I was far more interested in homecoming than I was homework.  I didn’t have near the work ethic Chris did in high school, but because I am a Hispanic woman, opportunities then and today continue to fall at my feet. I have received scholarships from the Latin Chamber of Commerce and invitations to be part of Leadership Las Vegas.  I’ve been recruited and paid as a Latina Blogger.  All opportunities that I am VERY thankful for. 

Last week, a close friend of mine was turned down for a job that he was number one in line for.  Not because he was under-qualified, inexperienced or unprepared, but simply because he wasn’t a woman.  

I am a champion for women.  I attend a women’s bible study and lead a group there.  I’ve led a MOPS organization and have the privilege of working with hundreds of women in my career.  Everyday I wake up grateful that I’m able to serve and encourage women, but I am nervous for my sons.  I worry that despite their very best efforts and qualifications, their job applications will be passed over, their opportunities will be minimized, because they’re unable to check the female gender box.  Too often I see women’s empowerment campaigns devaluing men and I won’t stand for that.   

My faith tells me that neither men nor women are superior to one another, that each of us are created in the image of God, for a purpose. I am blessed to be married to a man who not only role models hard work for our boys, but one that is willing to sacrifice his own ambitions and desires for the good of his family.  This sacrificial, Christ-like love, inspires me.  

When adidas.com asked me to write a post about someone who inspires me, it was a no brainer.  I’ve always loved this man, but his commitment to the needs of our family during this wild phase of life has grown my love deeper than I could have imagined.  

There’s not exactly a way to thank him for this, but I loved being able to spoil Chris with a new pair of adidas lifting shoes.  Of course, he hasn’t had a new pair of lifters in 5 years, because he NEVER splurges on himself, so I wanted him to have the very best. 

 

I wouldn’t be able to live out my dreams without the steadfastness of my husband.  I depend on him as he depends on me and that interdependence is the message I want my boys to grow up witnessing.

Ladies, we all have men in our lives worth celebrating.  Let’s use our powerful influence to do just that.

This post was sponsored by adidas, all thoughts and opinions are my own.