Nelson Mandela once wisely said, “Our children are the rock on which our future will be built.” While these words hold great truth, it begs the question: how seriously are they being taken today? In the 21st century, the absence of strong guidance and positive role models leaves many young people vulnerable, particularly in an era where social media plays such a dominant role. Dana White‘s UFC fighters, too, are becoming increasingly aware of this growing concern, as more and more young individuals are gravitating toward the ‘sigma’ male mindset and idolizing controversial figures like Andrew Tate.

This dangerous mindset could have lasting effects on the next generation. Anthony Mackie, the new ‘Captain America,’ is acutely aware of these challenges. His recent success with Captain America: Brave New World, which became the third highest-grossing film of the year, brought him a great deal of attention. In a candid appearance on the Pivot Podcast, the Louisiana native addressed how the evolving idea of masculinity could be harmful to society, particularly in the context of current trends. During the interview, Anthony Mackie opened up about fatherhood and the challenges of raising children in a materialistic world.

A clip from the podcast shared on Instagram featured Mackie explaining how he keeps his sons grounded: “In the past 20 years, we’ve been living through the death of the American male. They have literally killed masculinity in our homes and communities for one reason or another… I keep my boys humble. Like, my boys have never had a pair of Jordans… you know.” Mackie’s words resonated beyond the entertainment world. UFC welterweight contender Philip Rowe also shared the clip on X, expressing his thoughts with the caption, “Very, very interesting take.”

Beyond his successful Hollywood career, Anthony Mackie is also a proud single father of four sons. He shares with his childhood sweetheart, Sheletta Chapital. The couple married in 2014 but separated in 2018. Now residing in New Orleans, the Louisiana native is fully dedicated to raising his sons and has deliberately avoided dating or any distractions that could interfere with his responsibilities as a father.

When asked about his dating life in 2025, Anthony Mackie emphasized his focus on fatherhood. Along with Rowe, fans have since shared their thoughts on Mackie’s remarks, applauding his commitment to his children.

Fans reacted to Anthony Mackie’s “interesting” views on masculinity

The world’s perspective has shifted significantly, with an increasing emphasis on materialism and negative behavior over values and morals. This growing materialistic mindset is particularly influencing today’s youth. Moreover, a recent NRG study revealed that half of young people are uncertain about their masculinity. Many mature fans are aware of this shift, and Anthony Mackie’s comments on masculinity have resonated with some in America.

One fan, clearly impressed by Anthony Mackie’s viewpoint, remarked, “Ladies & gentlemen, Captain America.” Another fan reflected on his own upbringing, noting, “Bro is raising his kids like how I was raised. Rewards aren’t given, they’re earned.” Despite the praise, not everyone agreed with the Louisiana native’s reference to Jordans. One fan asked, “What does having Jordans have to do with any of this?” Anthony Mackie’s mention of Jordans was a way of highlighting the importance of not compromising one’s morals in a materialistic world.

But what happens when Mackie’s own beliefs are questioned? Despite these criticisms, many fans defended Mackie’s message. One pointed out, “Everybody worried about a pair of Jordans, which is proving his point.” Interestingly, Mackie’s recent remarks on masculinity have not only sparked debate but also seemed to enhance his popularity. They may even be driving more anticipation for his upcoming film, Captain America: New World Order. After hearing his perspective, one fan shared their enthusiasm, writing, “This made me wanna go see Captain America.”

The majority of fans supported the Louisiana native’s remarks on the decline of masculinity in today’s younger generation. Even though the Louisiana native has been in Hollywood for years, he has managed to stay out of major controversies. One fan summed up his admiration for Mackie’s fatherly approach, saying, “Forget Captain America. That’s a real father.” Meanwhile, another fan shut down critics trying to stir unnecessary controversy over his comments about Jordan shoes, responding, “At least he’s raising his kids at all.”

Ultimately, fans have come to appreciate Anthony Mackie’s actions as a “man raising” a man. This is because the Captain America star is raising his four sons on his own, with the oldest being 15 years old. What’s your take on Anthony Mackie’s remarks about masculinity? Do you think the Captain America star is taking the right approach to raising his children? Drop your opinion below.