Teens

"You're a better woman than I am," sighed my friend. I had just told her of our summer vacation plans to a place without electricity, plumbing, gas, phone lines, roads or satellite reception.

For five years I have watched her play soccer, sprinting down the field in fast bursts. Even though Ryann often stops short of the ball she can outrun most of the other players.

Our culture defines masculinity in many ways, but primarily it prevents boys from expressing their feelings, becoming emotional, or maintaining an authentic self.