Robin Hood Manhood

First of all, I have some disclaimers.
1. I am not a man.  2.  I am not Robin Hood  3. I likely have no idea what it would really like to be either.

With that said, I have a few gripes about this famous hero.  I'm a mere 25 pages from completing the 250 Robin Hood rendition by Howard Pyle.  It's been a long go of it, since I have been reading it out loud to my "charge" for the past 6 months!  It began as an attempt to regain sanity from reading some mindless children books.  I figured a small baby doesn't really care what you are saying, they're just needing to hear words.  However, if Master D's first few words are "Thee & Thou" and if later in childhood he calls his little guy friends who claim their territories in their backyards "yeoman", than it is my fault.

I grew up enjoying the cartoon rendition of Robin Hood.  It never really hurt my sensibilities that he 'stole from the rich to give to the poor', but as I reflect upon the writing of the 'real' book, it seems a little pompous of Robin Hood to feel he has the ability to redistribute the wealth.  In fact, I don't recall 'giving it to those in need' being a main theme of what he does with the money.  Rather, it often supports his large band of men, who have decided to forsake honest labor and live as renegades and rabble-rousers in the woods.

Now perhaps it is unfair to ask our 'superheroes' to live to the same social norms that we are called to.  But, what I don't like is that each chance he gets, he allures the best and brightest and gathers him to his posse to join a life of merriment, adventure, and hunting.  It reminds me a bit of Peter Pan's lost boys who never want to grow up.  They're something wrong with that, in fact our society is filled with adults who have no intention to 'grow up'.

The definition to 'manhood' includes other nouns like masculinity, spirit, strength, resolution, courage, determination, bravery, fortitude, mettle, firmness, hardihood, etc.  While at times Robin Hood displays an amazing amount of spirit, resolution and determination, it is often against the law (albeit an often corrupt law) and his 'bravery' must be called upon because of his very resolve to find trouble.  However, there are a few occasions where he uses his strength and courage for the welfare of others, which is to be commended.  I suppose when it comes down to it, I'm saddened that these 'heros' are off fighting battles (often that they pick) and have abandoned society and family life.

I think there's a great deal of resolution, bravery and maturity that it takes to live an ordinary life.  One where a man must sacrifice daily and look not only to the needs and interests of himself.  So, three cheers to my husband.  Thank you honey, for not running off into the woods and playing with bows and arrows, but being willing to give up some game in order to have our shared adventure of life!

There seem to be a lot of people addressing this need for 'manhood' in our culture, here are a few resources I've heard:  

 Stepping Up by Dennis Rainey the host of Family Life Today

  

Men's Fraternity by Robert M. Lewis

 

And how could I forget Wild at Heart by John Eldridge

Any thoughts or suggestions on manhood resources?
Any good adventurous books that we'd actually want our 'Little Men' to emulate?