Building Men for Others

Rev. Joe Ehrmann is the driving force behind the Building Men for Others organization. He is on a campaign to help men reclaim their manhood and become mentors and coaches for boys. He says, "Tonight over 40 percent of American children will go to bed in homes in which their fathers do not live. In addition, 68 percent of all black children and 30 percent of all white children are born outside of marriage. Of the fathers in the home, and the male-mentor-coaches involved in our boy's lives, many have been given little or no specific instructions in defining masculinity or in understanding what a man is and what a man does."

As an ex-professional football player it's interesting to learn that he feels professional sports are having a negative impact on males. He says, "...it is estimated that 90% of American boys regularly or often watch televised sports programs, with their accompanying commercials that influence and improperly define masculinity." He feels that given the "extraordinary numbers of boys who consume a sports masculinity formula” there needs to be a "countering message that correctly defines masculinity, and the proper role of coaches and sports so that they can positively influence the development of boys to men."

This is truly a man who "gets it," and is making a big difference. Rev. Ehrmann is one of my heroes.