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AS DAD MIGRATED FROM THE CAVE TO THE FARM,
HIS IDENTITY REMAINED MOSTLY INTACT
Early cave man had a simple role in the world. To survive. To take care of himself. Simple.
Eventually, no doubt helped along by biological urges, this early man figured out that he stood a better chance of survival in a group rather than by himself. So the tribe or family came into existence. And protection and maintenance of the group became his primary function.
Thus, “dad’s” primary function in life morphed from simple survival of himself into protection of the family or the tribe.
As protector and provider for the tribe, early “dad” knew exactly what he needed to do. The rules were created by nature and the natural order. They were clear and simple. Not following them meant he would surely perish. Simple.
In this function, the cave man (your father) would stand guard at the mouth of the cave, ever vigilant against fierce animals, and against marauders who would want to take his woman, his stuff, and ultimately, his life.
Emotionally, he needed to be tough. He could never show any type of weakness or vulnerability as that would make him lunch, or worse.
This “never let them see you sweat” mantra is deep within virtually every man, even today. It’s part of your dad’s heredity, his biology. At an essential level, it dictates much of how your dad interacts with the world, even today.
Back to our cave dad and his newly established tribe.
For this early man and his tribe, the cave suddenly gave him a defendable place where he could part ways with his previously nomadic lifestyle, and lay claim to a piece of land he could call home.
So now, man (your dad) suddenly had a place to come home to.
In time, early dad learned to harness the land outside the cave, cultivating it for crops and livestock. Pretty soon he was venturing further and further beyond that original cave, to even better and more fertile land.
As he ventured out beyond the reaches of his own land, to his neighbors (can I borrow a cup of sugar?), what started as a small tribe extended to become larger and more organized tribes, and ultimately villages and communities.