"Second Hand Lions" & What a boy needs to know about becoming a man

[Dueller]

I don't know if many of you have seen the movie "Second Hand Lions" (Robt Duvall and Michael Caine) but it was a funny little production if not a bit smarmy and nostalgic. It tells the story of a young teen boy being abandoned on two curmudgeon uncles living life on their own terms by his irresponsible mother.

Its has a sentimental style replete with romantic swashbuckling flashbacks of a a different era. It is family fare that is humorous for all but the most cynical of adults. It is worth renting if you haven't seen it before.

One of the central themes is the Duvall character sharing his wisdom of what a boy needs to know about becoming a man. In the film you are never made privvy to Duvall's advice...it is left up to you to ponder what such advice might be.

Sorry about my lame attempt as a movie critic. But it was the first movie I took my step kids to about 4 years ago and on occasion they love to rewatch the movie and reminisce about those early periods in our relationship.

My stepson is about to leave for college. While I have tried to teach by example, what advice have some of you fathers given to your sons about what it means to be a man?

[the]

Originally posted by Dueller
what advice have some of you fathers given to your sons about what it means to be a man?

This should be good . . .

[cowtown]

Originally posted by Dueller
what advice have some of you fathers given to your sons about what it means to be a man?

Well, I've told my three year old he needs to pull his pants down before he pees.... Oh, and don't eat bugs.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

I'm pretty sure my kid thinks his name is "No!"

[legion]

My father let life beat him down. His most often repeated advice to me was: "Never argue with your wife. Always do whatever she says when she says it without question." I think it was a load of crap on two levels. First, he never followed it himself. Second, a marriage is a partnership, not a dictatorship.

[stomachmonkey]

That was a great movie.

Mine are to young for advice right now.

I love how they"exit" the world.

[johnco]

the only good advice I got from my father was to do the job right the first time and that I need to invest in real estate. everything else coming from him could have been considered verbal abuse. only have a daughter so my words of wisdom were don't get knocked up until she's finished her education. don't get married until after she's had some fun, done things and been places.. at least 25 yrs old. don't give it away to just anybody when you can use it to your advantage.. and don't take crap from anyone. the last thing I told her that if she gets a tattoo, I will scrape it off with my knife.. told her you can dress a woman up in diamonds and furs, but if she has tattoos showing, she's just a skank with nice clothes. I'm about to rip out that ring in her lip. lucky for her she removes it when she comes down to see me.

[89911]

I thought the movie was terrible. I was "forced" to watch it on a plane flight. Very predictable and totally unbelievable.

[cowtown]

Originally posted by johnco
don't give it away to just anybody when you can use it to your advantage

[widebody911]

Am I the only one who read it as "second-hand loins?"

[Milu]

Advice from my father:
Never get a tattoo, it could be used to identify you.

Advice from my mother.
Don't marry a rich woman. The money isn't worth it.

[Paul_Heery]

From my dad, "Never take a job where you have to wash your hands before you go to the bathroom".

[Dueller]

Originally posted by widebody911
Am I the only one who read it as "second-hand loins?"

LMAO...probably .

Looking back, my father did set an example on many levels. He was a highly decorated career military vet with combat tours in Korea (1) and Nam (2 tours). Some lessons were not so pretty...and often highly physical.

But for the life of me I can't remember much verbal advice or guidance.

[Icemaster]

Be better than me. In every aspect.