Why does it seem that all men, especially those in their teens and 20s, turn into rude, noisy, childish boys when they are with their friends?Is it all about the alpha male?

Where are the gentlemanly Rhett Butlers of “Gone with the Wind?” All I see are men who might have starred in “Jackass.”

For the most part, men show no respect for women and their beauty. Instead of calling a woman “beautiful” or “stunning,” they call her “hot” and then start discussions about how much they would like to get into her pants.

Now, I apologize to those men out there who are not complete animals. But even you surely recognize that the childish and immature ways men act nowadays are unacceptable.

Perhaps I just was not paying attention when I was younger, but now, when I see the boys who want to be called men, I cannot help but wonder what happened to respectful, gentle, manly men? Nowadays, it is rare to see a 20-something man open a car door for a woman, or, even worse, hold the door open for a woman as she is walking to class.

How can I respect them?

I realized the other day that I find myself comparing my boyfriends to my father. My dad is the epitome of everything a man should be. Why can’t men today take a lesson from their fathers and act like the respectable people they should be?

The worst really comes out when men get around other men. They become childish boys, wrestling each other, shooting each other with pellet guns and making crude remarks to and about each other. All charm, wit and charisma goes out the window as they scratch, burp and hoot their ways to slobhood.

I don’t get it; I may never get it. And yet, even in the midst of this rant, I have to also say that today’s women might be to blame.

Putting all your goodies out there does not teach men to respect you or your body. You may complain that men don’t look you in the eyes when they talk to you, but how can they when your double D’s are popping out?

Women, you do not have to put up with unacceptable behavior. It is not in the DNA; it is a behavior that has been learned and can be unlearned. And, if you happen to be one of the lucky ones who have found a man who is respectful and kind and loves you more for your IQ rather than your bra size, hold on to him.

There are not too many Rhett Butlers left.

Erin Glatzel is a junior news-editorial journalism major from Las Vegas.