This entry is the first exploration of teenage archetypes to illustrate the geniuses of the genders as developed through the theology of the body. I intend to use the teenage experience to identify the archetypal characters of both Man as “Hero” and Woman as “Lady.” In other words I propose to use the adolescent experience to illustrate the masculine genius and the feminine genius. Because of the emotional volatility of adolescence, extreme stereotypes are typically recognizable by society as normative behavior (exemplified by too many movies to mention). So these stereotypes will help me to quickly illustrate the point. Each of the stereotypes, when “untwisted,” reveal a genuine quality of the archetype for each gender. These qualities give description to the genius of the particular gender. Furthermore the stereotypes often “mature” into a particular profession that requires the dominance of certain genius qualities.
Hero—teenage archetype of the masculine genius
3 Stereotypes of the Hero = (1) Jock (2) Nerd (3) Rebel
3 Qualities of the Hero = (1) Valor (2) Integrity (3) Passion
3 Professions of the Hero = (1) CEO (2) Doctor (3) Artist
3 Goals of the Hero = (1) Truth (2) Beauty (3) Goodness
So when the archetypal teenage boy exercises the heroic qualities of valor and integrity, the boy is virtuously pursuing truth. This teenage boy is often on the edge of being both a “jock” and a “nerd.” And this teenage boy might do well as a doctor. In other words, this kind of teenage boy would best display his masculine genius in the discipline of the sciences. However when there is an “excess” of qualities, or a “distortion” in this boy’s self-image—the virtuous doctor idolizes truth and turns into a dictator—so consumed that valor turns against itself and into self-righteousness and arrogance replaces integrity. The tendencies toward experimentation in the sciences when in excess illustrates the lack of maturity. The distorted valor leads to a twisted hero that we label as a “jock” while the distorted integrity leads to a twisted hero that we label as a “nerd.” This anti-hero dominates others by imposing his truth upon others.
So when the archetypal teenage boy exercises the heroic qualities of integrity and passion, the boy is virtuously pursuing beauty. This teenage boy is often on the edge of being both a “nerd” and a “rebel." And this teenage boy would best display his masculine genius in the discipline of the fine arts. Yet as previously stated, if there is an “imbalance” of qualities or a “distortion” in this boy’s self-image—the distorted passion displays the “rebel” without a cause and the distorted integrity push out the “nerd” within. This once virtuous artist idolizes beauty to such a point that his imagination twists him into a hermit because of the objectification of beauty. The life of the teenage hermit is the hedonistic pursuit of self-indulgence, and eventual self-destruction.
So when the archetypal teenage boy exercises the heroic qualities of passion and valor, the boy is virtuously pursuing goodness. This teenage boy is often on the edge of being both a “rebel” and a “jock.” And this teenage boy is likely to be a corporate executive officer. The corporate business track makes sense because the rebel within is willing to take the risks while the jock always on display has the confidence to lead. However our CEO-Hero is easily twisted not unlike the doctor. The once virtuous CEO falls into the role of tyrant quiet frequently. The immature CEO lives to work resulting in placing profits before people. His life is analyzed by his tyrannical transactions which are as volatile as a teenager’s hormones. His rebellious passions cause bi-polar outbursts and his jock-kingdom is ruled by a heavy micro-manager hand.
Though these stereotypes of jock, nerd and rebel in the teenage world seem sophomoric, the results of the male professions gone immature have serious consequences. Doctors, artists and CEOs are vital to the success of society; however, when these men become boys and come out to play as dictators, hermits or tyrants, lives are at stake.
The way in which the teenage boy can consistently pursue his hero within is by virtuously offering the gift of himself out of love to his lady. The hero has the qualities of valor, integrity and passion in which to exercise during this offering quest. For every hero needs a quest, and every boy’s quest is to beckon his lady. A hero beckons his lady with valor, integrity and passion—this is the genius of his masculinity. She is essential to keeping her man a hero. Without her being his lady, he cannot be a hero. But how might his lady receive her hero? That’s the next entry called Teenage Archetype: Lady.
