There is a time in many a boy’s life when one particular part of himself enlarges to outshine all the rest. Laugh if you will, but in truth it is no joking matter. Sometimes he finds himself suddenly operating heavy artillery long before his is ready.

Though a rising number of people seem to suggest that there are no real differences between males and females in our 21st Century world, there are two very special organs that hang in a tender sack between a guy’s legs that beg to differ. They produce a hormone called testosterone that bring about specific drives, emotions and physiological activities. They also produce a biological ammunition known as sperm that is designed to be fired through a hardened barrel—not to bring harm, but to coalesce with woman’s wondrous seed to bring new life into the world. It is no wonder that guys like to shoot things. This is an elemental part of their makeup.

Unfortunately, many boys find themselves growing up in an environment where the natural influences of their external gear has no proper place within society to be honored and understood. Left to his own naturally immature devices without the proper support and guidance of a dad or mentor, a significant part of a boy’s development toward manhood is forced into secrecy. Boxers might provide the illusion of freedom deep down there beneath the shame and suppression, but if used improperly—during heavy sports activity, for instance—can bring great harm to the vulnerable gems of male sexuality. I myself learned this lesson on a surgical table at the mercy of a scalpel. The physical damage was undone, but the emotional affects of my ignorance lasted for some time.

This is a call to dads, uncles and mentors. If you have not already done so, it is time to man up and learn all you can about your male hardware and the software that manages it. It is time to get a conscious handle of the emotions and drives with which your testosterone has gifted you. It is time to talk about these things with candor and authenticity in the company of other men. You must do these things because there are boys around you who need your support and wisdom in developing the same. Left to their own devices, these boys may otherwise find themselves in the operation of heavy artillery toward detrimental ends.