A study has found that weaker men are more likely to be in favour of redistributive taxation. The strong on the other hand, who in their cavemen past had no problems protecting both women and resources they had no intention of sharing, are far less likely to see the virtue of egalitarian social policies.
The study from Brunel University London found that physically weaker men are more apt to believe in liberal policies, such as redistribution of wealth. Meanwhile, stronger men are more geared to believe in the capitalist concepts, such as the idea that people should keep what you earn, protect their women and resources.
Brunel University academics studied 171 men aged 18 - 40, examining their overall physical strength, bicep circumference, weight, and height. They also noted the amount of time each individual spent at a gym, and examined these variables in light of whether they subscribed more to capitalist or socialist ideologies. They found that the more physically strong the men were, the less they believed in socialist policies, and the more they believed certain social groups should be dominant.
The findings of the Brunel study somewhat match results previously found in a similar 2013 study done by Aarhus University in Denmark. Researchers studied hundreds of men from America, Denmark, and Brazil, using the same criteria Brunel had used, and found that stronger men "take a conservative stance of protecting their own interests," according to the Telegraph.
"Our results demonstrate that physically weak males are more reluctant than physically strong males to assert their self-interest – just as if disputes over national policies were a matter of direct physical confrontation among small numbers of individuals, rather than abstract electoral dynamics among millions," said Michael Bang Petersen, who lead the Aarhus University study.
Whatever the causes and correlations of these studies, we cheerfully concur that the Bible calls men to be the protector of their families, providing for them by the “sweat of his brow” and using his superior strength to lead the family in a God-glorifying direction.
We are also confident that the Bible calls men to be strong in God’s strength. This does not mean overpowering women or other people, but overcoming life’s challenges. “He that endures until the end shall be saved” (Revelation 2,3).
Strength will not save us, endurance will save us, empowered by God’s Spirit (Zechariah 4:6).
Arm wrestling does not determine our suitability for heaven. Wrestling against powers and principalities may (Ephesians 6:12).
Said Paul, “When I am weak, I am strong.” When convinced of our own weaknesses, we can yield ourselves to the control of Him who is the strength of our countenance.
Women are a weaker vessel according to the Bible (1 Peter 3:7). That is certainly true physically, and possibly emotionally due to monthly cycles. But we should not overlook that the way this passage reads indicates that we are both weak, perhaps one more than the other. We all need Christ in our lives if we are to overcome sin, defeat the enemy’s purpose for our life, and glorify God. He brings lasting strength.
It is true that we live in an era—possibly like no other—where weakness abounds. Men of Godly strength is the greatest need in our world. Ask God to make you one of them through His grace.
***
“But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:10).
