--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Every boy was supposed to come into the…" description: "\"Every boy was supposed to come into the world equipped with a father whose prime function was to be our father and show us how tobe men. He can escape ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/frank-pittman-8860_absent_every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the_336472.png" --- # Every boy was supposed to come into the world equipped… ![“Every boy was supposed to come into the world equipped with a father whose prime function was to be our father and show us how tobe men. He can escape us, but we can never escape him. Present or absent, dead or alive, real or imagined, our father is the main man in our masculinity.” quote by Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/frank-pittman-8860_absent_every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the_336472.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/frank-pittman-8860_absent_every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the_336472.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/frank-pittman-8860_absent_every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the_336472.png) > “Every boy was supposed to come into the world equipped with a father whose prime function was to be our father and show us how tobe men. He can escape us, but we can never escape him. Present or absent, dead or alive, real or imagined, our father is the main man in our masculinity.” [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that a father, whether present or not, fundamentally shapes a man's identity and sense of masculinity. **In simple terms:** A father influences a man's identity even if absent. Key Takeaway Recognize and reflect on paternal influence. Themes masculinity identity family psychology role models Mood reflective thoughtful analytical Type philosophical psychological When to use this quote - personal growth - therapy - relationship counseling - self‑reflection - men’s health Key Concepts paternal impact psychological development socialization Questions to Reflect On - How does the presence or absence of a father shape your sense of self? - What alternative figures can provide masculine guidance? A Different Perspective If a father is absent, other mentors may not fully replace that unique influence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alive/) [Boys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boys/) [Father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/father/) [Masculinity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masculinity/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Our father](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-father/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [My father was my main influence. He was a preacher, but he was also a history and political science teacher, and since he was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-soul/my-father-was-my-main-influence-he-was-a-preacher-but-he-was-also-a/) [David Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-soul/) > [Welbeck will be the main man and I have no doubt he will flourish. Imagine the pace Arsenal will have when everyone is fit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rio-ferdinand/welbeck-will-be-the-main-man-and-i-have-no-doubt-he-will-flourish/) [Rio Ferdinand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rio-ferdinand/) > [I think it's important to play. I don't think the manager needs to give you a confidence booster and say, 'You're my main man;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-sturridge/i-think-it-s-important-to-play-i-don-t-think-the-manager-needs-to/) [Daniel Sturridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-sturridge/) > [Hugh Grant is the main man. He's the number one romantic comedy man in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-elliott/hugh-grant-is-the-main-man-he-s-the-number-one-romantic-comedy-man-in/) [Sam Elliott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-elliott/) > [We are diverse, big time. Sully is the main man, which makes sense as the lead man of the band. Tony and myself are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robbie-merrill/we-are-diverse-big-time-sully-is-the-main-man-which-makes-sense-as/) Robbie Merrill > [I have a two year old. Just turned two a couple weeks ago, and he is my main man, he is my shadow. Every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-atkins/i-have-a-two-year-old-just-turned-two-a-couple-weeks-ago-and-he-is-my/) [Rodney Atkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-atkins/) > [My main man up in the building, it's how we does](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-westwood/my-main-man-up-in-the-building-it-s-how-we-does/) [Tim Westwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-westwood/) > [Al is loyal, a loyal guy. He has treated me extremely well and he likes that I have been loyal to him as well.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-degale/al-is-loyal-a-loyal-guy-he-has-treated-me-extremely-well-and-he-likes/) [James DeGale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-degale/) > [Castle Face Records, run by The Oh Sees main man, Johnny Dwyer is always worth checking in with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/castle-face-records-run-by-the-oh-sees-main-man-johnny-dwyer-is/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [Ron Thompson, he's my main man!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lee-hooker/ron-thompson-he-s-my-main-man/) [John Lee Hooker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lee-hooker/) > [“Life is too short to major the MINOR and MINOR the major. Make the main thing the main thing and the world will make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sesan-kareem/life-is-too-short-to-major-the-minor-and-minor-the-major-make-the/) [Sesan Kareem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sesan-kareem/) > [My other Main Man is Muhamed Ali, for the obvious reasons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-castillo/my-other-main-man-is-muhamed-ali-for-the-obvious-reasons/) [Randy Castillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-castillo/) > [What we men share is the experience of having been raised by women in a culture that stopped our fathers from being close enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/what-we-men-share-is-the-experience-of-having-been-raised-by-women-in/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [Most of us have felt barriers between ourselves and our fathers and had thought that going it alone was part of what it meant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/most-of-us-have-felt-barriers-between-ourselves-and-our-fathers-and/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [We long for our father. We wear his clothes, and actually try to fill his shoes. . . . We hang on to him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/we-long-for-our-father-we-wear-his-clothes-and-actually-try-to-fill/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) ## More by Frank Pittman > [In colonial America, the father was the primary parent. . . . Over the past two hundred years, each generation of fathers has hadless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/in-colonial-america-the-father-was-the-primary-parent-over-the-past/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [We long for our father. We wear his clothes, and actually try to fill his shoes. . . . We hang on to him,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/we-long-for-our-father-we-wear-his-clothes-and-actually-try-to-fill/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [Our ability to fall in love requires enough comfort with our masculinity to join it with someone's femininity and feel enhanced. .. . If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/our-ability-to-fall-in-love-requires-enough-comfort-with-our/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [The mother must teach her son how to respect and follow the rules. She must teach him how to compete successfully with the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/the-mother-must-teach-her-son-how-to-respect-and-follow-the-rules-she/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [Parents can fail to cheer your successes as wildly as you expected, pointing out that you are sharing your Nobel Prize with a couple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/parents-can-fail-to-cheer-your-successes-as-wildly-as-you-expected/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [At the heart of male bonding is this experience of boys in early puberty: they know they must break free from their mothers and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/at-the-heart-of-male-bonding-is-this-experience-of-boys-in-early/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [We know how powerful our mother was when we were little, but is our wife that powerful to us now? Must we relive our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/we-know-how-powerful-our-mother-was-when-we-were-little-but-is-our/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [Mothers who are strong people, who can pursue a life of their own when it is time to let their children go, empower their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/mothers-who-are-strong-people-who-can-pursue-a-life-of-their-own-when/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [Fidelity is the single most important element in solidly enduring marriages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/fidelity-is-the-single-most-important-element-in-solidly-enduring/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [Some parents were awful back then and are awful still. The process of raising you didn't turn them into grown-ups. Parents who were clearly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/some-parents-were-awful-back-then-and-are-awful-still-the-process-of/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [To insult a friend implies that you respect his masculinity enough to know he can take it without acting like a crybaby. The swapping…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/to-insult-a-friend-implies-that-you-respect-his-masculinity-enough-to/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [Fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/fathering-is-not-something-perfect-men-do-but-something-that-perfects/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [Happy people learn that happiness, like sweat, is a by-product of activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/happy-people-learn-that-happiness-like-sweat-is-a-by-product-of/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [In time, after a dozen years of centering their lives around the games boys play with one another, the boys' bodies change and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/in-time-after-a-dozen-years-of-centering-their-lives-around-the-games/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) > [Marriage, like a submarine, is only safe if you get all the way inside.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/marriage-like-a-submarine-is-only-safe-if-you-get-all-the-way-inside/) [Frank Pittman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) [Explore all 77 Frank Pittman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/) ## More Absent quotes > [Majority decisions tend to be made without engaging the systematic thought and critical thinking skills of the individuals in the group. Given the force…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/majority-decisions-tend-to-be-made-without-engaging-the-systematic/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In a general way, the literature of the twentieth century is essentially psychological; and psychology consists of describing states of the soul by displaying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-weil/in-a-general-way-the-literature-of-the-twentieth-century-is/) [Simone Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simone-weil/) > [Emma was a shocking driver, simultaneously sloppy and petrified, and for the first fifty miles had been absent-mindedly driving with her spectacles on top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/emma-was-a-shocking-driver-simultaneously-sloppy-and-petrified-and/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) > [They are enthusiasts, devotees. Addicts. Something about the circus stirs their souls, and they ache for it when it is absent. They seek each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-morgenstern/they-are-enthusiasts-devotees-addicts-something-about-the-circus/) [Erin Morgenstern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-morgenstern/) > [The interesting thing about an absent father is, for a child, you don't know he's absent. You just think he's... tardy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-majors/the-interesting-thing-about-an-absent-father-is-for-a-child-you-don-t/) [Jonathan Majors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-majors/) > [For my own part, I would rather be in company with a dead man than with an absent one; for if the dead man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-my-own-part-i-would-rather-be-in-company-with-a-dead-man-than/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If measure and symmetry are absent from any composition in any degree, ruin awaits both the ingredients and the composition... Measure and symmetry are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/if-measure-and-symmetry-are-absent-from-any-composition-in-any-degree/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [“You may not appreciate the presence of good health, but you will definitely regret the absence of good health, because health is happiness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/you-may-not-appreciate-the-presence-of-good-health-but-you-will/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [... if we are ashamed to imitate our Lord's sufferings, which He endured for us, and to suffer as He suffered, it is obvious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/symeon-the-new-theologian/if-we-are-ashamed-to-imitate-our-lord-s-sufferings-which-he-endured/) [Symeon the New Theologian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/symeon-the-new-theologian/) > [It's Simon, he's missing." Ahh." said Magnus delicately "Missing what exactly?" Missing!" Jace repeated "As in gone, absent, notable for his lack of presence,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/it-s-simon-he-s-missing-ahh-said-magnus-delicately-missing-what/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Anger clearly has its proper place at work, which is neither wholly absent nor ever present. The manager who is an emotional blank is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-baggini/anger-clearly-has-its-proper-place-at-work-which-is-neither-wholly/) [Julian Baggini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-baggini/) > [They were not mentioned in the Declaration of Independence, they were absent in the Constitution and they were invisible in the new political democracy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/they-were-not-mentioned-in-the-declaration-of-independence-they-were/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [Religion has always been a matter of community building; a matter of building precisely those relations of compassion, fellow feeling and - I dare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rowan-williams/religion-has-always-been-a-matter-of-community-building-a-matter-of/) [Rowan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rowan-williams/) > [A FRIEND IS A PERSON . . . With whom you can be sincere. . . . To whom you never need to defend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-armand-montapert/a-friend-is-a-person-with-whom-you-can-be-sincere-to-whom-you-never/) [Alfred Armand Montapert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-armand-montapert/) > [The very serpents bite their tails; the bees forget to sting, For a language so celestial setteth up a wondering. And the touch of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathalia-crane/the-very-serpents-bite-their-tails-the-bees-forget-to-sting-for-a/) [Nathalia Crane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathalia-crane/) Browse all 490 Absent quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Every boy was supposed to come into the world equipped with a father whose prime function was to be our father and show us how tobe men. He can escape us, but we can never escape him. Present or absent, dead or alive, real or imagined, our father is the main man in our masculinity.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frank Pittman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the-world-equipped-with-a-father/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Absent" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the-world-equipped-with-a-father/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/frank-pittman-8860_absent_every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the_336472.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/frank-pittman-8860_absent_every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the_336472.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/604/frank-pittman-8860_absent_every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the_336472.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Every boy was supposed to come into the world equipped with a father whose prime function was to be our…” — Frank Pittman", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Frank Pittman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-pittman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Every boy was supposed to come...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the-world-equipped-with-a-father/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-pittman/every-boy-was-supposed-to-come-into-the-world-equipped-with-a-father/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```