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Articles.
The Man Cave.
According to the official man cave website, www.mancavesite.org, a man cave is “a dedicated area of a house, such as a basement, workshop, or garage, where a man can be alone or socialize with his friends.” The site goes on to note that these places are designed and outfitted with little or no female influence. Man caves are sometimes called a mantuary, a male sanctuary. S. Haltzman (2006) in his book, The Secrets of Happily Married Men, notes that man caves are necessary places to retreat, a place a man can call his own. He goes on to say that these man caves “can provide refuge from stressful surroundings and can be beneficial to their marriage.” Also, according to L. Tiger (2004), in his book Men in Groups, he argues that male bonding, the friendship between men, is based on shared activities, instead of emotional bonding such as women experience. Not to discount that women aren’t flyers, or that there aren’t husband/wife team flyers, rather this article will keep the focus on those men who are truly “man cave” dwellers. “Man caves have come a long way since Archie bunker was relegated to a well-worn recliner parked in front of the tube. There has always been a need for guys to have their own space” so says Phoenix Magazine (2009), a decorating publication.
Why discuss “man caves” in the Racing Pigeon Post? Simple, I believe the pigeon loft is the male pigeon flyer’s “man cave”. It is a place they can retreat from the home to enjoy something they love in addition to their family. Do men feel comfortable in their home? Or do they feel more comfortable in their pigeon loft? Perhaps it’s both, because each meets a different need. The home provides stability, nurturing, affection and bonding for the family. It is where emotional support originates. Beyond family support, individual support is essential. The sport of flying provides this for the flyer.
Some of this support comes in the form of fellow club members as they meet to load birds, conduct their meetings, and await race results and more, both weekly and monthly depending on the time of year. Additional support may come in the form of “traveling ‘man cave’ people”. Per the man cave website, man cave dwellers have “traveling man cave people”. These people show up at other dwellings, take pictures, share stories, bond and move on. Who are these “travelers” in the pigeon man cave world? Think of pigeon enthusiasts who travel, even to other countries, to visit with another flyer, to hold and discuss their pigeons, to converse for hours about training routines, feeding, breeding, alternate methods of flying, widowhood, natural, and so on. Are these men, not “traveling ‘man cave’ people?” Remembering what author Tiger (2004) noted, that “men bond through shared activities,” what better place for men to bond and support one another than in a “man cave”.
In speaking with numerous wives of pigeon flyers, some local and some from other countries, via the internet, I notice a common thread of complaint; the husband does not spend enough time with the family. Instead, he spends too much time with the birds. But, is he escaping from the family or to his “man cave”? Once he enters the loft, he leaves the sounds and stresses of life behind. Now, the sounds are the pigeons, and the stresses are focused on pigeon feed, pigeon health, mating, hatching, banding, flying schedule, the list is endless. Pigeons force the flyer to focus on them. They demand attention, and of course, time. If a man cave is a place where a man can be alone, then the loft meets that criterion. It may not be the family he’s escaping from, it may be the loft he’s escaping to.
Another descriptor applied to man caves is that they are usually designed and outfitted devoid of female influence, unless of course, the flyer is involved in team flying with his partner where influence may be involved. Rather, the loft is designed for optimum light, air, and comfort for the pigeon. Ascetics’ of course come into play, secondarily, not always primarily as it would for most women. The loft is outfitted with functional items for the pigeons. Items such as vents, perches, landing boards, and so forth are major elements in the design of the loft. The “office or feed room” is also designed for function, and, as with most man caves, come complete with a sink and refrigerator. The refrigerator contains the requisite medications for the birds and may also contain “liquid refreshments” for the flyer. All of this validates the findings in an article by decorators in Man Cave Décor (2009), “the décor of any man cave should reflect the owner’s interests.” Viewing lofts on line, in the Racing Pigeon Digest, and in numerous books, I am impressed at the reflection of the flyers’ interests in the magnificent lofts they have built. It is obvious these lofts were designed with much attention paid to detail, such as color, trim, roofing materials, and landscaping. These lofts are truly items of beauty, and yes, they still qualify as “man caves.”
In continuing research of man caves on-line, I noticed the walls are lined with trophies, diplomas, ceramic figurines in areas of interest, posters, clocks, and pictures. While some flyers have devoted space in their man caves for their trophies and such, to be proudly displayed, some have not. These flyers many not have the room or inclination to place their valued items in the loft, but there is a thread of commonality running through the responses of where these items are placed if not placed in the man cave. Once in the house, their importance becomes secondary, not primary. In speaking with wives about where such items are displayed for their husband, responses varied from “in the loft”, to “on one wall of our den” or “on a shelf in the garage” and even “in a trunk in the closet”. These hard-earned, coveted, physical evidences of a flyers’ worth do not receive the place of honor they so richly deserve. Why not? I argue that it’s usually because they do not fit into the decorating scheme of the home, or do not generate the same level of importance to the wife. Therefore, it may be time to rethink moving them to the man cave. There they could be prominently displayed, viewed with pride and discussed with the “traveling ‘man cave’ dwellers” as the tales of receipt are relived. Every man should have a place where he feels comfortable, a place to view the rewards of his efforts, a place to fully enjoy what he loves, and a place he can retreat to and from a variety of things. Placing the memorabilia in the man cave would allow daily viewing instead of being placed in the home out of a sense of obligation.
If, as Saltzman says, the man cave can be beneficial to marriage, how does this translate to pigeon flying? Pigeons and the love of the sport initiated the pigeon flyers’ man cave in the first place. Not only does it house the pigeons, but it also helps define the flyer. The “man cave” (loft) is your mantuary, a place to call your own, especially if your partner does not enjoy the birds &/or sport at the same level as you. Once refreshed by being in the loft, bring that energy back to your wife and family, as it can only help make the marriage strong and your wife more understanding of the time you spend away. If you are a single flyer, all the better to enjoy your man cave alone, as you too define the man cave dweller.
So, to conclude, does the term “man cave” make more sense now in association with pigeon flyers” Can the link between refuge and sport be seen? It is essential that flyers have a place to call their own, a place to retreat, a place filled with pigeons and memorabilia that brings them happiness. The man cave serves a multitude of purposes. Stepping out of the confines of the definition provided by the man cave website, I contend that the “man cave” also benefits relationships, by energizing and renewing flyers. Cave dwellers, remember what your pigeons already know so well, everything is better once you’re home.
T Berokoff
lonewolf_lofts@hotmail.com
According to the official man cave website, www.mancavesite.org, a man cave is “a dedicated area of a house, such as a basement, workshop, or garage, where a man can be alone or socialize with his friends.” The site goes on to note that these places are designed and outfitted with little or no female influence. Man caves are sometimes called a mantuary, a male sanctuary. S. Haltzman (2006) in his book, The Secrets of Happily Married Men, notes that man caves are necessary places to retreat, a place a man can call his own. He goes on to say that these man caves “can provide refuge from stressful surroundings and can be beneficial to their marriage.” Also, according to L. Tiger (2004), in his book Men in Groups, he argues that male bonding, the friendship between men, is based on shared activities, instead of emotional bonding such as women experience. Not to discount that women aren’t flyers, or that there aren’t husband/wife team flyers, rather this article will keep the focus on those men who are truly “man cave” dwellers. “Man caves have come a long way since Archie bunker was relegated to a well-worn recliner parked in front of the tube. There has always been a need for guys to have their own space” so says Phoenix Magazine (2009), a decorating publication.
Why discuss “man caves” in the Racing Pigeon Post? Simple, I believe the pigeon loft is the male pigeon flyer’s “man cave”. It is a place they can retreat from the home to enjoy something they love in addition to their family. Do men feel comfortable in their home? Or do they feel more comfortable in their pigeon loft? Perhaps it’s both, because each meets a different need. The home provides stability, nurturing, affection and bonding for the family. It is where emotional support originates. Beyond family support, individual support is essential. The sport of flying provides this for the flyer.
Some of this support comes in the form of fellow club members as they meet to load birds, conduct their meetings, and await race results and more, both weekly and monthly depending on the time of year. Additional support may come in the form of “traveling ‘man cave’ people”. Per the man cave website, man cave dwellers have “traveling man cave people”. These people show up at other dwellings, take pictures, share stories, bond and move on. Who are these “travelers” in the pigeon man cave world? Think of pigeon enthusiasts who travel, even to other countries, to visit with another flyer, to hold and discuss their pigeons, to converse for hours about training routines, feeding, breeding, alternate methods of flying, widowhood, natural, and so on. Are these men, not “traveling ‘man cave’ people?” Remembering what author Tiger (2004) noted, that “men bond through shared activities,” what better place for men to bond and support one another than in a “man cave”.
In speaking with numerous wives of pigeon flyers, some local and some from other countries, via the internet, I notice a common thread of complaint; the husband does not spend enough time with the family. Instead, he spends too much time with the birds. But, is he escaping from the family or to his “man cave”? Once he enters the loft, he leaves the sounds and stresses of life behind. Now, the sounds are the pigeons, and the stresses are focused on pigeon feed, pigeon health, mating, hatching, banding, flying schedule, the list is endless. Pigeons force the flyer to focus on them. They demand attention, and of course, time. If a man cave is a place where a man can be alone, then the loft meets that criterion. It may not be the family he’s escaping from, it may be the loft he’s escaping to.
Another descriptor applied to man caves is that they are usually designed and outfitted devoid of female influence, unless of course, the flyer is involved in team flying with his partner where influence may be involved. Rather, the loft is designed for optimum light, air, and comfort for the pigeon. Ascetics’ of course come into play, secondarily, not always primarily as it would for most women. The loft is outfitted with functional items for the pigeons. Items such as vents, perches, landing boards, and so forth are major elements in the design of the loft. The “office or feed room” is also designed for function, and, as with most man caves, come complete with a sink and refrigerator. The refrigerator contains the requisite medications for the birds and may also contain “liquid refreshments” for the flyer. All of this validates the findings in an article by decorators in Man Cave Décor (2009), “the décor of any man cave should reflect the owner’s interests.” Viewing lofts on line, in the Racing Pigeon Digest, and in numerous books, I am impressed at the reflection of the flyers’ interests in the magnificent lofts they have built. It is obvious these lofts were designed with much attention paid to detail, such as color, trim, roofing materials, and landscaping. These lofts are truly items of beauty, and yes, they still qualify as “man caves.”
In continuing research of man caves on-line, I noticed the walls are lined with trophies, diplomas, ceramic figurines in areas of interest, posters, clocks, and pictures. While some flyers have devoted space in their man caves for their trophies and such, to be proudly displayed, some have not. These flyers many not have the room or inclination to place their valued items in the loft, but there is a thread of commonality running through the responses of where these items are placed if not placed in the man cave. Once in the house, their importance becomes secondary, not primary. In speaking with wives about where such items are displayed for their husband, responses varied from “in the loft”, to “on one wall of our den” or “on a shelf in the garage” and even “in a trunk in the closet”. These hard-earned, coveted, physical evidences of a flyers’ worth do not receive the place of honor they so richly deserve. Why not? I argue that it’s usually because they do not fit into the decorating scheme of the home, or do not generate the same level of importance to the wife. Therefore, it may be time to rethink moving them to the man cave. There they could be prominently displayed, viewed with pride and discussed with the “traveling ‘man cave’ dwellers” as the tales of receipt are relived. Every man should have a place where he feels comfortable, a place to view the rewards of his efforts, a place to fully enjoy what he loves, and a place he can retreat to and from a variety of things. Placing the memorabilia in the man cave would allow daily viewing instead of being placed in the home out of a sense of obligation.
If, as Saltzman says, the man cave can be beneficial to marriage, how does this translate to pigeon flying? Pigeons and the love of the sport initiated the pigeon flyers’ man cave in the first place. Not only does it house the pigeons, but it also helps define the flyer. The “man cave” (loft) is your mantuary, a place to call your own, especially if your partner does not enjoy the birds &/or sport at the same level as you. Once refreshed by being in the loft, bring that energy back to your wife and family, as it can only help make the marriage strong and your wife more understanding of the time you spend away. If you are a single flyer, all the better to enjoy your man cave alone, as you too define the man cave dweller.
So, to conclude, does the term “man cave” make more sense now in association with pigeon flyers” Can the link between refuge and sport be seen? It is essential that flyers have a place to call their own, a place to retreat, a place filled with pigeons and memorabilia that brings them happiness. The man cave serves a multitude of purposes. Stepping out of the confines of the definition provided by the man cave website, I contend that the “man cave” also benefits relationships, by energizing and renewing flyers. Cave dwellers, remember what your pigeons already know so well, everything is better once you’re home.
T Berokoff
lonewolf_lofts@hotmail.com
