what makes a tough man or woman?

What makes a tough man or woman?

I picked up this book in a charity shop. It was an easy read and interesting.

What did I learn? They hadn’t all been in prison or were criminals. Any form of martial arts seemed to figure large. A vast proportion were doormen or ex doormen. I think a lot must watch strongman contests on TV.

Those who were criminal said they would not have chosen that route if they had had a better education and more wealth growing up. A few that had not married said a family.

Pretty much without exception they would all hang child abusers or those who abused women.

They seemed to endorse the view that the hardest men were those who were quietly spoken and did not brag. They emphasised mental strength.

Most of them had a code of honour I could relate to, belonging to my generation. They were keen on manners. They loved their kids and quite a few their parents and siblings, citing their deaths as their toughest moments. Generally they did not agree with drugs.

Few saw prison as a deterrent because when they were doing bad stuff they never expected to get caught.

I googled the author Kate Kray and got this. I think it’s a bit harsh on her writing abilities and salacious about her marriage.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/ronnie-he-was-just-like-you-and-me-709488.html

 

The book made me reflect on what makes a woman tough and the men I have met who think they are tough, but aren’t. They were often the bullies denigrated in this book.