It's all well and good that your son can download an app in five clicks, create a playlist for every mood, and recite Marvel movies by heart. But if he's still calling his mom to ask where the detergent is or how to fry an egg – then we have a problem. It's time for a serious conversation.
The skills your son learns today will determine whether he will become an independent, responsible man or a grown-up child with four houseplants—all dead. Below are 40 skills he needs to master if he is to develop into a true “gentleman with a brain.” Here we go—with a little irony, because life is no fun without them.
40 Skills Every Man Must Know (If He Wants to Survive in the 21st Century)
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- Change a car tire – because Uber doesn't come to a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
- Cook basic meals – and no, “delivery” is not a culinary skill.
- Smart money management – so that after your salary, you don't just have tears and instant soup left.
- To tie a tie – be prepared for a wedding, funeral or interview (within the same week).
- Swim – if life throws him into deep water (literally).
- Speak confidently – without 12 times “just” in one sentence.
- Respect others – especially the waiters, the mother, and those who think differently.
- Reading body language – to know when “okay” is actually an alarm.
- Building friendships – because it's not all about followers, true friends also count.
- Do laundry. – to finally separate the white panties from the red socks.
- Write thank-you messages – write “thank you” without emojis at least once.
- Defending oneself without violence – Bruce Lee vibes, no kicks.
- Use basic tools – that he can at least fix the shelf before his ego succumbs.
- Maintain personal hygiene – deodorant, nails, shower. Period.
- Ask meaningful questions – "Do you like dogs?" > “What are you watching on Netflix?”
- To be able to apologize – without “but you are also…”.
- Being physically active – a walk is not a punishment, it is prevention for a beer belly.
- Dealing with rejection maturely – crying in the shower is allowed, but not for three days.
- Listen without interruption – because “oh, right!” every 10 seconds is not dialogue.
- Taking care of mental health – talking is not a weakness, but a sign that you are a king.
- Plan a budget – not to buy new headphones before paying the rent.
- Iron a shirt – because crumpled = confused.
- Change a diaper – because children stink, but parenting smells like responsibility.
- Set personal goals – and don't leave them in your phone notes.
- Respect personal boundaries – it doesn't mean you're a bad guy if you know how to say "no".
- Clean the bathroom – without spraying fragrance on old mold.
- Know the basics of CPR – because "just calling an ambulance" is sometimes not enough.
- Public speaking – doesn't need TEDx level, just no freezing.
- To grow a plant – if your ficus succeeds, there is hope for the relationship.
- Use the map – physical. Paper. So that it doesn't get lost in the world.
- Maintain eye contact – don't look at the ground unless you're looking for contact with reality.
- Express gratitude – because “everything is self-evident” = immaturity 101.
- Think critically – and question theories from Facebook groups.
- Follow the instructions – for the first time, without “can I just watch a YouTube tutorial?”.
- Research before you buy – especially if it's a drone, a bike, or a PlayStation.
- Cook from leftovers – art that saves the planet and the refrigerator.
- Recognize emotional signals – so that he doesn't ask "are you fluent?" at exactly the wrong time.
- Repair small things at home – a light bulb is not a mystical object.
- Manage time – being late is passé, punctuality is the new sexy.
- Stand up respectfully (and stand up for yourself) – because masculinity is not in loudness, but in respect.
Raising a son isn't just about teaching him "don't eat with your hands" and "put your phone down at dinner." It's about equipping him with life skills that will allow him to survive on his own, coexist compassionately with others, and—once in a while—make dinner without burning down the kitchen. Give him the tools, not just the instructions. He'll be grateful. If not now, then when he's looking for the light bulb himself.
