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When the storms of life are raging, real men step up and act. That’s exactly what one weatherman did yesterday during Hurricane Helene.
The category four hurricane made landfall late Thursday in Florida’s Big Bend region, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. So far, 35 people in four states have been found dead and four million were left without power.
Hurricane Helene had maximum sustained winds of 140 mph, produced up to 20 inches of rain and created a storm surge of more than 10 feet in some places.
Fox meteorologist Bob Van Dillen was reporting live on Fox News during the hurricane from Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday evening. During his live broadcast, Van Dillen pointed out that one woman, just feet away from him, was trapped in her car with floodwater surrounding her.
“This lady drove into the area that’s flooded, and she’s screaming right now. I just called 911,” he reported. Van Dillen then tried reassuring the woman, letting her know that help was on the way. But she continued screaming.
“It’s a situation,” Van Dillen said, interrupting his own broadcast. “We will get back to you in a little bit. I’m going to go see if I can help this lady out more.”
Moment later, Fox’s cameraman showed Van Dillen pulling and carrying the much shorter woman out of her car, on his back, through the floodwaters, and to safety.
“Wow! Look at that! He’s saving her!” Fox’s hosts commented while watching the rescue. “That guy is a hero!”
Indeed, he is!
Van Dillen’s courage is the epitome of masculinity. He put himself at risk to help a woman in need. It’s a sorely needed example of real manhood in our culture, which is all too often feminized and emasculated.
As Glenn Stanton, Director of Global Formation Studies at Focus on the Family, has previously written, there are various masculine traits that men across all cultures are expected to exhibit. Here’s several of them.
- Courage
- Steps Up
- Provides and Protects
- Self-Reliance
- Honest and Moral Strength
- Tenacity
- Self-Control
- Under Authority
- Shows Respect
- Loyalty
- Humility
- Compassion
- Lives His Character
As Professor Nancy Pearcey writes in her book The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles The Sexes, there are two competing scripts about masculinity in our culture today – that of the “Real Man” and that of the “Good Man.”
As an example of this, sociologist Michael Kimmel interviewed cadets at West Point, asking them what it means to be a “real man.” They answered: “Be tough, strong, never show weakness, win at all costs, suck it up, play through pain, be competitive, get rich, get laid.”
However, being a “good man” is different, these cadets said, providing a whole different list of traits: “Honor, duty, integrity, sacrifice, do the right thing, stand up for the little guy, be a provider, be a protector.”
“The problem with the stereotype of the ‘Real’ Man is that it is one-sided,” Prof. Pearcey writes.
“When separated from a moral vision of the Good Man, it can easily degenerate into sexism, dominance, entitlement, and contempt for those perceived as weak – traits we can all agree are toxic.”
“Because men are made in God’s image … their unique masculine strengths are not intended to enable them to get whatever they want but to protect those they love – to provide, sacrifice, and, if necessary, fight for them,” she adds.
As a result, when Christians promote a biblical moral vision – the Good Man – they are not imposing an alien standard on men. They are encouraging them to follow their own conscience, to be uncompromising in doing what they instinctively know is right.
We at the Daily Citizen extend a hearty thank you and attaboy to meteorologist Bob Van Dillen.
He put his own safety on the line to rescue someone in need. That’s masculinity at its finest.
You can read our exclusive interview with Prof. Pearcey about her new book.
Related articles and resources:
The War on Masculinity is Toxic: Exclusive Interview with Prof. Nancy Pearcey
Boundless: Toxic Masculinity: Episode 842
Fatherhood: How to be the Dad Your Family Needs
The Significance of a Father’s Influence
Photo from YouTube.
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