knaveman Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 Something that has been on my mind lately. What makes a man a "man?" Is it physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, etc. ? How do different cultures and different societies define "manliness?" If I cry at a movie am I not a man? If I can sew, cook, and clean for my self am I less of a man? If I kill things does that make me a man? If I can change the oil in your car does that make me a man? How do you define a "man"
mark982 Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 the way i look at it. being able to handle anything that life throws a you,without whining like alittle girl about it.
OpenBook Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 Men come in many forms. Probably as many forms as there are people. Each of them has strengths and weaknesses. And everybody has their own ideas of what makes a man a man. So my idea of a "Real Man" is purely subjective on my part: #1: Able and willing to be a strong leader, and is fair and compassionate to others in his leadership. #2: Responsible for his own life and behavior. #3: Willing to own up to his own mistakes. #4: Loves dogs.
Pedigree Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 Independence, responsibility, due respect for others, honesty, and not only talking the talk but walking the walk. Being a 21 year old, that's what I want to aspire to. I've only gotten the respect and honesty down.
sally4sara Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 I define a man as someone who does not and has never had ovaries and a uterus within their body. No one has listed anything intrinsically and/or exclusively male within this thread; only different aspects of character anyone could possess.
Lizzie60 Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 For me a real man .. is someone who is a bit 'rugged'... no baby face.. No problem is ever too big for him to find a solution.. he has experience in many aspects.. He knows what he wants .. and knows how to get it.. He has a big d*ck and know how to use it..
Els Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 I define a man as someone who does not and has never had ovaries and a uterus within their body. I would like to add that he should also have testicles and a penis.
sally4sara Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 I would like to add that he should also have testicles and a penis. He could've met with a freak accident and lost both of these parts, but I'd still think of him as a man. I'm accepting like that.
deux ex machina Posted September 6, 2009 Posted September 6, 2009 I define a man as someone who does not and has never had ovaries and a uterus within their body. No one has listed anything intrinsically and/or exclusively male within this thread; only different aspects of character anyone could possess. ......ditto.
Author knaveman Posted September 8, 2009 Author Posted September 8, 2009 Seems to be the most logical answer. IMHO. Men come in many forms. Probably as many forms as there are people. Each of them has strengths and weaknesses. And everybody has their own ideas of what makes a man a man. So my idea of a "Real Man" is purely subjective on my part: #1: Able and willing to be a strong leader, and is fair and compassionate to others in his leadership. #2: Responsible for his own life and behavior. #3: Willing to own up to his own mistakes. #4: Loves dogs.
Author knaveman Posted September 8, 2009 Author Posted September 8, 2009 To me, a man is someone who does what needs to be done. Takes the lead when no one else will, but can also take the backseat when he knows someone else is better suited. A man can control himself. A man doesn't need to fight or cry or do anything he doesn't want to do. A man is a man on his own terms and no one elses. Same goes for women.
Trialbyfire Posted September 8, 2009 Posted September 8, 2009 Man is: Hard strength (subjective interpretation).Doesn't whine or bemoan his fate in life, instead goes and gets it.Lives by his code of honour.Trustworthy.Not overly sensitive.Protective of his loved ones and turf.Reeks testosterone!!
Island Girl Posted September 8, 2009 Posted September 8, 2009 Man is: Hard strength (subjective interpretation).Doesn't whine or bemoan his fate in life, instead goes and gets it.Lives by his code of honour.Trustworthy.Not overly sensitive.Protective of his loved ones and turf.Reeks testosterone!! I'd agree. And to me -- a "Man's Man" is the epitome of manliness. He is the guy that other men admire and like to be around. He is the one who isn't about being loud and a jerk - he is the one that keeps his cool and thinks before he acts. Well, rounded, athletic, not afraid of what anyone else thinks about anything he does.
Trialbyfire Posted September 8, 2009 Posted September 8, 2009 I'd agree. And to me -- a "Man's Man" is the epitome of manliness. He is the guy that other men admire and like to be around. He is the one who isn't about being loud and a jerk - he is the one that keeps his cool and thinks before he acts. Well, rounded, athletic, not afraid of what anyone else thinks about anything he does.I like your additions. To expand on the "thinks before he acts", wicked smart!
Island Girl Posted September 8, 2009 Posted September 8, 2009 I like your additions. To expand on the "thinks before he acts", wicked smart! YES!! -- and doesn't have to prove anything to anybody. There's some humility thrown in there too.
Author knaveman Posted September 8, 2009 Author Posted September 8, 2009 athletic, No fat men can be manly? No middle-aged balding men with horrific beerguts? No old men?
Trialbyfire Posted September 8, 2009 Posted September 8, 2009 YES!! -- and doesn't have to prove anything to anybody. There's some humility thrown in there too. He doesn't have to prove it, 'cause he reeks of it! Have you ever watched film footage with male lions? They're solid muscle with THAT walk. Watch one where it's a challenger coming into a pride's territory with the intent to take over. The look in his eyes, the tension and body language, the tense roaring (which is the ultimate insult to a reigning monarch in his turf)...HOLY!
Island Girl Posted September 8, 2009 Posted September 8, 2009 No fat men can be manly? No middle-aged balding men with horrific beerguts? No old men? That isn't true at all. My personal preference is a very well built man -- BUT athletic means he is capable of being physical. I know some old men who can hold their own no matter what they are doing. But I also know a particularly large very heavy guy who can barely move around - and no he is not athletic. And HEY -- my husband is middle aged and bald (he shaves his head but still)! And I don't think anyone would say he isn't athletic. He always has been.
Island Girl Posted September 8, 2009 Posted September 8, 2009 He doesn't have to prove it, 'cause he reeks of it! Have you ever watched film footage with male lions? They're solid muscle with THAT walk. Watch one where it's a challenger coming into a pride's territory with the intent to take over. The look in his eyes, the tension and body language, the tense roaring (which is the ultimate insult to a reigning monarch in his turf)...HOLY! Well you know how I feel about THAT translated into human behavior TBF!! :love:
NomadNewlyweds Posted September 10, 2009 Posted September 10, 2009 Something that has been on my mind lately. What makes a man a "man?" Is it physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, etc. ? How do different cultures and different societies define "manliness?" If I cry at a movie am I not a man? If I can sew, cook, and clean for my self am I less of a man? If I kill things does that make me a man? If I can change the oil in your car does that make me a man? How do you define a "man" great question. i've asked this for myself many times. there are many ways society define men. unfortunately most of the time society is wrong the true measure of a man is not if he can hunt, fish, shoot guns, watch nascar, fart, camp, etc etc etc...... now don't get me wrong....there is nothing wrong with those things or being athletic or muscular etc. but the true measure of a man come from within.....leadership, the ability to provide, strength, loyalty, morality, self control, and, love. society puts so much worth on the things that don't matter.
Isolde Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 I think masculinity is too often conceptualized in the physical sense, as brute force or power. I think a gentle guy can be masculine if he strikes the right balance between sensitivity and assertiveness.
carhill Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 but the true measure of a man come from within.....leadership, the ability to provide, strength, loyalty, morality, self control, and, love.Is Bill Gates a manly man? Think about that.... Here's a picture of him with his daughter Here's a picture of him from 1977 He was 22 in 1977 when he was arrested for a traffic violation and that picture was taken. Would young Billy have gotten you wet? Nice reality check. Own your attraction style. I won't mind
allina Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 1) speaks and walks with confidence 2) not at the bottom of the food chain at work 3) can do physical things like fix things and pick up heavy things 4) doesn't cry or get his feelings easily hurt 5) understands money/finance 6) knows how to accomplish things and overcome obsticles
Isolde Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 I don't think anyone is saying that physical qualities don't matter but high levels of masculinity, for that matter, don't necessarily equal sexually attractive to a given woman. Both are subjective measures. Not every woman goes for super alpha types--that doesn't mean she likes frail, passive guys either.
carhill Posted September 11, 2009 Posted September 11, 2009 How do you define a "man" Anything that is non-woman For the women, put in a tape of daddy and watch over and over again until those characteristics are permanently imbued into your cerebral cortex. Seriously, OP, IMO, it is so hard to define in any widely agreeable way as to be nonsensical. I am and do all the things in your OP and plenty of women don't see me as a man, much less a manly man. Me, I see me as human. Mortal. Extant. Glad you could join me
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