The Image Of A Real Russian Man: Mentality, Stereotypes And Imperfection

2023 Author: Miles Ford | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-11-27 13:10

In Russian society, there is an image of a man, which has been taking shape and developing over the centuries. He is strong, proud, cool, smart, and unshakable. A real man, capable of both rough work and poetry. Strong, wise and judicious. This stereotype is instilled in boys from childhood, they are reminded all their lives of what a real Russian man should be, and children, seeing no other way, try to meet expectations. But the whole problem is that the world around is constantly evolving, and the image of a "real man" still clings to the past - traditions, customs and opinions of ancestors.

The content of the article

• 1 Objective view of stereotypes
• 2 The right path

Objective view of stereotypesi

The model of behavior and the very image of the "Russian muzhik" are morally and physically outdated. This kind of person is simply not able to exist in a modern and developed society. Values and character traits, so revered in the old days, today seem to be savage, irresponsible and sometimes even mental deviation. Many psychologists analyzed this model of human behavior and came to the conclusion that it is not only unsuitable for today's society, but even dangerous for people. Why is this so?

A real Russian tradition, which a man was obliged to maintain for many hundreds of years, is fistfights. Yes, violence against other people. The targets of the beating were anyone who spoke out against the accepted opinion, who was not like them. Nationalism and xenophobia flourished in old Russia. And they are the roots of the attacks of hatred observed in the modern world against various minorities, peoples or entire nations. Everyone faced this - insults of people of non-traditional sexual orientation, threats and violence against residents of other countries, laughter and mockery of citizens of "decaying Europe."

The idea of the superiority of everything traditional, national and permanent is so deeply in the minds of people that it even became part of the ideology of the state. Despite all attempts to somehow introduce European standards into various administrative apparatus, there is a massive propaganda of patriotism at the social, or rather even the "people's" level.

Moreover, it often takes on an unhealthy form of nationalism, expressed in the rise of Russians over other nations, a constant desire to win someone. This is most noticeable in the fact that Russia at the political level is constantly opposed to other states. Many men at a young age are very susceptible to such effects, and therefore become those who offend, humiliate and use violence against those who are "strangers." And they do not understand that in such actions there is no love for the Motherland.

Equality is an empty phrase for most men brought up according to traditional Russian canons. After all, historically, a man is the head of the family and its protector. And all family members and relatives are not close people, but his subordinates. To disobey an elder means to subject yourself to punishment. And there is nothing to say about the attitude towards women.

In Russia, they always performed the role of only service and working personnel, did not have the right to vote and lived only to take care of the household and the children. If she dared to contradict her husband or disobey, the use of violence was allowed. Today Russia is recognized as one of the most unfavorable countries for the life of representatives of national, religious or sexual minorities.

Historically, real Russian men had to be strong first of all. Any conflict was settled not by peaceful negotiations, but by the use of this very force. And now, in everyday life, you can notice the echoes of this past - who is stronger is right. On the streets, older teens use violence against younger ones, strong against weak ones, men against women. Just to prove your case in this way. But for a modern person, physical violence and aggressiveness are only signs of savagery and danger, but not signs of righteousness.

Irresponsible attitude to themselves and their health is also characteristic of stereotypical Russian men. Therefore, there is so many obese people who are sick, have addictions, consume alcohol and tobacco products. Why is that? Psychologists answer this question quite simply. The generations living today were brought up in a society very similar to a militarized one.

The ancestors of today's men have survived at least one or two wars, so subconsciously all their lives they prepared for any armed conflicts. And there was no reason for them to take special care of their health, if in the future there was a chance to go to war and die there.

Nowadays, this culture of soldiers is still strong, which is why many men continue to be addicted to alcohol and tobacco, avoid sports and harm their health in every possible way, without even fully realizing why they are doing it.

Many women say that modern men are not adapted to life from the word at all. This is due to the fact that a large number of boys grow up in single-parent families or the father does not take part in their upbringing. The stereotype that a woman should be involved in education is working again. But in the end it turns out that the young man is under constant care, does not know how to take care of himself, is used to the fact that he has everything for a comfortable life and is not ready to work in order to provide for himself.

A frightening fact is that among the male population at the age of 23-30 there are such cadres who completely and completely “sit on the necks” of mothers, not wanting to work, having no purpose in life, just wasting time for all sorts of fleeting joys and desires.

Since a man in the traditional Russian sense must demonstrate spiritual and physical strength, manifestations of weakness are considered shameful and offensive. People who seek mental health care are ridiculed by their colleagues. In their opinion, a real man should be able to overcome any stress and any problems, otherwise he is simply weak and not worthy to be considered a man.

In this look, in all its glory, one can notice the imperfection of the model of behavior that has been imposed on many boys since childhood. They are forced to endure, fight, or wait for certain ailments to "pass by themselves." From this, there is a high mortality rate among the male population from diseases that have been amenable to successful treatment for many years.

The right way2

A real Russian man in the modern sense should not rely on harmful and dangerous remnants of the past, which everyone loves to impose so much. There are many opinions about what it really should be, but, unfortunately, all of them were expressed by representatives of this archaic culture. However, in recent years the situation has been changing for the better.

Gradually, the Western mentality and views penetrate into Russian society and especially successful ideas even take root in this country. Many people who adhere to outdated views on the upbringing and behavior of a Russian man leave life and open the way for young and progressive parents, whose level of self-awareness and responsibility is much higher than that of their ancestors.

So what does a Russian man need to do in order to stop being an international laughing stock and become an example of what you really need to strive for? First of all, it is time for the male population to accept the fact that mental and physical violence is unacceptable in modern society. To prove that you are right with your fists is wildness. To scoff at the weak and those who are not like themselves is meanness.

The value of human life and his right to be what he wants should be in the first place for a Russian person. For too long, people have suffered from a conservative society because of their "wrong" views. It's time for men to learn to accept people for who they are and not to judge them, even if they don't agree with it.

A Russian man should respect and appreciate himself. A person who respects and values himself will never ruin his health and put the opinions of others above his own. If such a man needs the help of doctors, he will not tolerate and wait for the disease to pass. He will treat his life responsibly and turn to a qualified specialist. Such a man will not revel in alcohol to an unconscious state, because he simply will not need to look for a way to get rid of the inner emptiness. He will live a full and multifaceted life. He will have a hobby, a family and, most importantly, a purpose in life.

A self-respecting man will understand that it is important to develop not only physically, but also mentally. Therefore, he will be healthy and at the same time perfectly educated. However, he will not do this in order to get crusts or to show off his muscles in front of friends or girls.

He realizes that he really needs it and that it can improve his life in the future. After all, health will provide him with a long life and a minimum of diseases. A good education will allow you to get an excellent position and not know poverty. An ignorant person does not want to do this. If he hangs on the horizontal bars and walks in the "sharaga", then he does it only because he was told to do so.

A real man will not allow himself to be disrespectful to representatives of other cultures. At the same time, he will not forget about his own. Such a person will love his country, respect its traditions, but will not extol them over others. Russia is really good in something, many people know about it. But not everyone remembers in moments of heated discussions that this country, like many others, has its own problems. A Russian man will respect other peoples and their customs. And he will not show aggression towards those who do not hold such views.

A man who was born in Russia should learn from childhood that he does not surpass other people in his importance. But he is not below them either. Therefore, he will treat people suffering from mental illness with respect and understanding. And to people who have unconventional views on sex life. And, of course, he will recognize a woman as his equal in all plans.

He will not restrict her freedom of action, expression and movement. And she will not impose on her those duties that she does not want to fulfill. This is especially true for the family. It will not seem unacceptable for a real man to participate in raising children or caring for the house. He will normally relate to the fact that he can become a householder, and his wife will provide for the family.

A real man should be a responsible citizen of the country in which he lives. If he was born in Russia, then he should not refuse to participate in social and civic life, even if everyone around says that it is useless to change something. A Russian person must understand the course of movement of the state, with responsibility and awareness of the importance of treating political events, not ignoring elections. And yes, he must report any violations to the appropriate authorities.

Traditionally, it is unacceptable for a Russian muzhik to be a "snitch". But this is a gangster concept that has no positive impact on the development of society. Of course, no one forces you to become a scammer. But if someone rudely and brazenly violates human and civil rights in the presence of a responsible person, then it will be his duty to report this situation and achieve its resolution.

Of course, all of the above is in the current realities an ideal that is unlikely to be achieved. But it is the image of a responsible, cultured, polite and self-confident man that should become the one that any Russian should strive for. Many of these truths have already been learned in countries that are ahead of Russia in development.

But the truths are the same for everyone, therefore there is nothing shameful to adopt these correct views on life. After all, such an attitude will allow not only Russians, but also all of humanity to move forward, build a safe, honest and comfortable society for their descendants.