Curtis Sliwa argues that true masculinity isn't defined by symbols of power like guns but by a commitment to protecting the vulnerable—the poor, elderly, and infirm. He frames it as a moral responsibility to risk one's life for strangers, a form of humanitarian service that stands in stark contrast to conventional notions of strength.

Before a man can protect and provide for others, he must first apply those principles internally. This means cultivating a safe inner space where he can belong and feel secure, and protecting himself from harmful social conditioning. This self-care is the foundation for helping others.

Amidst prevailing negative stereotypes of masculinity centered on dominance and rage, global sports offer a powerful alternative. They provide a mainstream platform where men publicly demonstrate strength alongside service, cooperation, a wide range of emotions, and devotion to community, acting as a "correction" to toxic norms.

Many young men lack a guiding code for life. A positive, aspirational form of masculinity—focused on being a provider, protector, and procreator—can offer a framework for making better daily decisions.

As women increasingly take on leadership roles in society, the masculine essence will shift from being a provider and achiever. Instead, its value will lie in embodying stillness, depth, and presence—a grounding force that provides a stable anchor for a partner who is active in the world.

Stoicism, the essence of traditional masculinity, demands men deny their inherent vulnerability. This creates anxiety and walls men off from others, because authentic human connection is built through sharing vulnerability, not hiding it.

The highest expression of masculinity is not simply achieving strength—be it economic, physical, or intellectual. It is about leveraging that strength to protect and uplift others. Using power to demean or belittle, as in sexism, is a failure of masculinity, not a feature of it.

When advising young men, Newsom reframes masculinity away from dominance. He teaches his sons that true manhood lies in empathy and actively protecting those being bullied or ostracized. He believes having the back of the person being chastised is the ultimate sign of leadership and strength.

A proposed framework for manhood is choosing to optimize for service over attention. Seeking attention provides a fleeting 'dopamine hit' that ultimately evaporates. In contrast, a life of service—adding more value than you take—compounds over a lifetime to build a meaningful legacy.