summary ofMan EnoughBook by Justin Baldoni

first KEY POINT

Masculinity is not an imposed checklist of attributes

The desire to fit in affects men’s confidence and self-image. They numb their feelings, hide their insecurities and shame, and put on a facade. This dissonance results in a conflicted individual constantly struggling to be the man.Attempts to expand the definition of masculinity to include other ways to be male do not help. Instead, it increases the burden they have to bear as a man, followed by a sense of insufficiency.The current definition of masculinity demands a man be:• Strong
• Agile
• Invulnerable
• Capable in every wayEssentially, a man must be perfect. Since no man is perfect, most question their self-worth from a deeply rooted belief that they’re not good enough.Guys, remember: you are enough. You simply need to be humane, honest, and open. Young boys need to unlearn the idea that their happiness and self-worth are in seeing naked women. Teenagers need to dump the script that their number of sexual escapades proves they’re becoming real men. Men in their twenties need to cry without feeling shame. They need to debunk the idea that getting married means walking into a trap, just as fathers need to learn how to raise their sons to treat women with respect. Finally, if you still have parents, you need to know how to relate with them as an adult male without reliving the wounds that characterized your childhood.

In this summary, you’ll discover the challenges men face on the path to false masculinity and learn how to reveal your true nature crossing societal and cultural limitations and prejudices.