The 21st Century Gentleman

In medieval times, the concept was known as chivalry. In Japan, the idea is called Bushido. In more recent times they were known as gentlemen. These are all considered "societal ideals" that the male adult should strive to embody. Nowadays the young man is floundering without a strong guideline on how he should act. Many of the elder population would say that the younger populous should try to be like the gentlemen of the 20th century. Yet many of the practices are now outdated due to the technology boom as well as the feminist movement. Actions such as who pays for dinner, sending thank you notes, and many others are confusing to the young men of this generation. Now there are a whole new set of expectations that we (young men) are expected to follow and aim for.  It is very difficult to stick to many of the mannerisms which go along with being a traditional gentleman. The media plays a large role in creating the male identity for a generation and I feel that many shows and movies create models that aren't what young men should be trying to become. It may seem like fun to emulate characters such as  the men from Jersey Shore, or Neil Patrick Harris' character on How I Met Your Mother. Yet many of their actions do not encourage the most acceptable behavior. So where can a young man turn to find guidance in current times? Gentlemen icons of the past lived in a radically different time period, yet many current popular stars don't act as good examples for the young, 21st century male. There are many articles written about the topic and there are a few which I have found which seem to hit the nail on the head. I like how the articles tackle the subject matter and they provide a strong base to develop one's identity. I think that it is time for our generation to create our own image of an ideal gentleman for all to strive to become.

Guidelines for Modern Gentlemen:
Gentlemanly Etiquette
Being a Gentleman and a Player