[nowheretorun]

what defines a man? for me, he is a helpful other, one who reaches out and connects caringly... my image is one who stands at the helm or the portside of the ship... he sees a job to do, does it... he gets battered in the gusts and the spray.... he finds inner strength...

[nowheretorun]

whether its male or female, a spirit of kindness and strength is helpful in this world.. its strange that men often consider themselves the stronger gender, but in matters of emotion, it seems our counterpart are advanced in the ability to express.... i dont want to say guys are the ones who act and dont talk about it, but i can see we are in a place here where it is hard for men to discuss feelings... it can happen in time...

[very_confused]

I certainly take the nurture side of the argument in this matter.

What is a man?

It is a question asked ever since such roles were formed (most likely very quickly at the dawn of humanity).

There seems to be no true answer here, as the definition of a man and what he is supposed to do in any likely given situation is far too encompassing.

Some people would claim that we are risk-takers, aggressive, protecting; others would claim that we are calculating, logical, impassive.

These contradict one another, however.

It really matters only to yourself. I often wonder what the optimal way of acting would be, but if we took this route, then we would contradict ourselves often and feel like "phonies," like we never stood up for anything in our lives. What's better? I don't know.

[TYMBERWOLV]

Originally Posted by very_confused

I certainly take the nurture side of the argument in this matter.

What is a man?

It is a question asked ever since such roles were formed (most likely very quickly at the dawn of humanity).

There seems to be no true answer here, as the definition of a man and what he is supposed to do in any likely given situation is far too encompassing.

Some people would claim that we are risk-takers, aggressive, protecting; others would claim that we are calculating, logical, impassive.

These contradict one another, however.

It really matters only to yourself. I often wonder what the optimal way of acting would be, but if we took this route, then we would contradict ourselves often and feel like "phonies," like we never stood up for anything in our lives. What's better? I don't know.

I am whom I am and whom I make myself to be. People are entitled to thier thought processes but at the end of the day it is about me and what mark i make on this earth.

Caring respectful of others are my characteristics , very loyal and very considerate

[bonaire]

"What is a man"

sounds like "what is a good definition of a man in our society by which we can judge him as a higher quality example of the gender compared to others." Whew.

As I've grown in life, I find that our spirit/soul has no gender. We learn what is acceptable, good and decent from our upbringing. We label people with good attributes as well as bad and select those who we deem more acceptable and ignore those not as acceptable. So, asking what is a man to me is saying "I want to discuss acceptable men - let's talk about what makes a good man good". Or - what is a good person. The same aspects of a "good" man is also found in "good" women.

Have you ever looked at a 'bad' man with empathy? A bum on the street - have you seen him as a human being? If so, then you are seeing a man. I see a man who has had hardships, been ignored, labeled and hurt by society. Yet still a man.

Women used to look at "role models" like Tom Selleck on Magnum P.I. as their definition of a real man. Strong, but caring, etc. You probably wouldn't label Pee Wee Herman (Paul Rubens) the same as Tom Selleck - but both are actors, made good money and both men. You've probably been trained by society to gravitate towards the Tom figure than the Pee Wee. (I'm getting a chuckle out of this comparison).

Do you see my thinking here? When we stop labeling people, we can start to see the spirit in all humans no matter if they are great or not. The only problem is - are we willing to work with and help cure their baggage to let them find their true calling in life?

I heard a great line on a talk show yesterday.

"The meaning of life is ... to live a meaningful life."

[pachyderm]

Originally Posted by bonaire

I heard a great line on a talk show yesterday.

"The meaning of life is ... to live a meaningful life."

A calendar I have says this:

"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."

[rich62_uk]

The interesting thing is, that most of your posts you have highlighted the caring giving sides of the male personality, the reason I say this is interesting is because these are generaly held female traits.

I agree with being on the port side of the helm but you shouldnt be standing there having a little sob because the third mate has just been washed over board !

[nowheretorun]

we all can try .. ty to each of the men

A man is a human being with a penis and testicles. Anything else is purely subjective.

[nowheretorun]

everyones opinion matters joe, thanks for sharing

[coralproper]

ahhh...nowhere ...that was kinda funny....and true hence "HU-MAN"

[nowheretorun]

good to see you again coral

[coralproper]

I have plenty more time on my hands now, I'll be working at home

Life is to short, to work it away for someone other than myself, imo

Besides, i'd never really make any substaintal (imo) gains for anyone but whom I worked, by working hard for over 13 years at the same company

[nowheretorun]

i hope we'll be seeing more of you then coral

[50guy]

A man to me is one that is just like me. Loves kids, loves his wife, loves life and is a natural protector of women, children and those that cannot defend themselves.

[nowheretorun]

agreed guy

[DocClyde]

Agreed as well.

[earl shook]

i stand up topee...i write my name in the sand..or snow.. i have left my mark on the earth..therefore i am a man.!!!

[altonwoodsdrphil]

Originally Posted by jersey_joe_in_fl

A man is a human being with a penis and testicles. Anything else is purely subjective.

Having the genitalia of a man doesn't make you a man, It makes you a male.

The measure of a man/woman is the size of their heart, their capacity to love. It's shown in a lot of different ways!

[trevorzero]

To a certain extent extent, it's the "duty" of a man to keep his cool in just about every situation. Why? Because, most likely, any women who may be involved will be falling apart and enjoying a rich emotional catharsis.

Men have to wait until they are alone and behind closed doors before they can yield to the emotion that may be weighing them down.

That's how the world works, like it or not.

[nowheretorun]

Originally Posted by trevorzero

To a certain extent extent, it's the "duty" of a man to keep his cool in just about every situation. Why? Because, most likely, any women who may be involved will be falling apart and enjoying a rich emotional catharsis.

Men have to wait until they are alone and behind closed doors before they can yield to the emotion that may be weighing them down.

That's how the world works, like it or not.

ive known women who do that too Trevor but i agree with you about the not knowing what others think and feel behind closed doors part.... for me, i try to always think the best of others, if their motives are not healthy, that will become evident in time

(edited this to say what i really meant)

I was a Cub Scout / Webelo / Boy Scout throughout my formative years and have yet to hear a better definition of a "man" then the qualities listed in the Scout Law.

A Scout (Man) is : TRUSTWORTHY; LOYAL; HELPFUL; FRIENDLY; COURTEOUS; KIND; OBEDIENT; CHEERFUL; THRIFTY; BRAVE; CLEAN; and REVERENT.

OK, I've never been obedient and am not known for my reverence. But the rest has served me well as a blueprint for manhood.

Can't believe I'm quoting the Scout Law here, but I can't improve on it. Go easy on me, guys! Mike

[nowheretorun]

im not here to argue politics, there is a good seed in the virtues listed.. ty Mike

[cloister2]

Originally Posted by altonwoodsdrphil

Having the genitalia of a man doesn't make you a man, It makes you a male.

The measure of a man/woman is the size of their heart, their capacity to love. It's shown in a lot of different ways!

Not every man has a penis and a full set of genitals. I would say it has to do more with having an XY chromosome.

[Mike_J]

I just hope I'm the person (man) who is always there between my family and people or events that would try to harm them