Who Represents Manhood for You?

What man or men, who are in the public eye, do you feel represent(s) the qualities necessary to be considered a "good man", one whom you might look up to & aspire to be like Who are your role models... & why

In a thread I posted on another forum, I was writing about what I thought a man should be like. I wanted to put down the names of maybe 2 or 3 men, in the public eye, who I thought might be illustrative of my perspective. But, for some reason the only man who came to mind was: Johnny Cash (or at least his public persona!) This is odd because I'm not a country music fan & I never particularly liked Cash's music. But this is who I came up with. And I couldn't think of anyone else

I see there are at least a couple of other threads in this forum that relate to what constitutes manhood & men's self-image. So this seems to be a topic that is of interest. Thanks for your replies. Personally, I still just come up with Johnny Cash's public persona. Hopefully someone else will have some more expansive ideas

Hello, The Skeezyks. I have not thought about who I would consider a public exemplar of manhood.

There certainly are positives I might learn from others. Ultimately, however, I shall define who I am, including what constitutes manhood if I deem doing so essential to the definition.

I've got to agree with you Glok, it's better defining yourself. At some point, all male role-models tend to disappoint you with something that they do, and you can cause yourself a lot of grief by trying to be like them, because the day they do "fail" you, it's a massive let down to know that the guy you thought was so cool turned out to be a normal man, just like every other man.

It's actually a hard question. Two I thought of - Bill Cosby and Bono. Both have done a lot of good for others. Cosby had a scandal or two, one involving possible adultery in the 1970s, another allegations of sexual misconduct, I don't know if that "diminishes" what he has done in any way, or if there is validity to either allegation. Bono has done a lot of good over his career.

Thanks! Granted that each of us is going to define manhood on our own terms (which is the way it should be.) I guess, in my mind, what I was thinking when I wrote this thread, was more taking a lighter approach.

Given that most men disappoint at some time or another (sadly) in one way or another, based on what you know of them now, whom (if anyone) would you feel comfortable pointing to as someone who embodies the qualities you consider to represent manhood as it should be, not meaning that you would actually emulate them. And then, what is it about this person that causes you to suggest them? It could, I suppose, even be a fictional character. (Anyone want to suggest Darth Vader?)

Oskar Schindler also comes to mind when I think of this. He was definitely flawed in many ways, known as a womanizer, but he saved over 1200 people from the Nazis at great personal risk to himself. I guess that speaks to his character, willing to literally risk his own life to save a group of people who, at the time, were considered "vermin" by the powers that be. He could have easily been brandished a traitor to the Nazi regime had they figured out the depth of his manipulations to save "his" people, and they would have killed him. But he risked it to do what he knew was the right thing. I think standing up for the least of us, the least powerful, even those who are openly despised, shows immense character.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

I don't. I'm me.
(used to be Arnie, when I was younger though)

Actually, Patrick Willis, a former middle linebacker on the San Francisco 49ers. That kid knew where he came from and didn't want to get back into it. He had some low-key friends that he was always hanging out with (his girlfriend and he had a married couple they hung out with), he was always very respectful in his conversations and he was dating a girl because they had similar interests, not because she was a model or cheerleader (she was soooo the girl next door). Incidentally, they got engaged in 2012.

But most of all, when it came down to it, he always did the right thing. I never heard of an arrest or anything of that nature, he worked hard and tried to be a good member of his community by donating time and money. Overall he was kind, strong and caring.

(Not to mention the dude was genetic freak, 252 lbs and could out-run and chase down a 180 lb wide receiver.)

Prez Obama - A successful husband and father who is comfortable enough with his morals and manhood to support LGBT rights nationally and worldwide; who does not start unnecessary wars to show power or bravado and knows that negotiations with enemies is a war of words and compromises which is much more complex than battles that cause needless suffering and loss of life.

Pope Francis I is very brave and daring for standing up for what is right even if it means breaking centuries old traditions that modern knowledge had shown to be wrong. I also admire his support of the poor and oppressed.

The Dali Lama for standing up to China peacefully. I have a lot of respect for him and his teachings and practice of non-violence.

My youngest brother who puts his children and marriage before his own needs. If you ask him, he'll tell you that his children and their wellbeing are more important than him.

My middle brother who had terminal cancer when he was a teenager and who suffered terribly but who did not complain, lived well when he was healthy and died with more grace than I will ever have.

I like Theodore Roosevelt (naturalist, amateur boxer, Harvard grad, cowboy, published naval historian, venture capitalist, police commissioner, big game hunter, founder of national parks, war veteran, U.S. colonel, husband, father, international peace negotiator, president, tropical explorer - all for real.) I also like John Adams and George Washington. The Duke - Come on, what guy doesn't want to be like John Wayne?

However, someone I very deeply admire is Fr. George (Gheorge) Calciu, a Romanian priest and confessor who spent many years in communist prisons. I had the privilege of knowing him. He was the most loving person I ever met. He was also the toughest person I ever met, but you would never know it, he was so kind.

I think men really need heros, men to look up to. We're hard wired for it. It's the way we emulate our dads.

It's such a shame that men are punished and ridiculed for being masculine or heroic. I like those statues with the guy on the horse with a sword. It makes you feel noble. Everyone knows that heros are people too, and that they have failings. Lord Nelson was apparently a first class home wrecker, but he was also a great naval officer and a patriot. George Washington owned slaves. That's not the point, everyone admired him, and he was a great leader under the most challenging circumstances. We don't go out and have an affair because we want to be like Nelson, anymore than we institutionalize racism because we want to be like Washington. When we are faced with a challenge we need to see some guy, who in spite of that challenge, overcame it all. That's what we should emulate. When we see their failings it reminds us of ours, and our need to overcome them. Heroes don't teach us about being the best, they teach us about self-sacrifice, patience, and endurance.

Noam Chomsky, Norman Finkelstein, William Gibson and Lefty the Salesman.

Nelson Mandela.

Homer Simpson

George Herbert: George Herbert - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hugh Jackman represents an ideal. Although I think he overdoes the whole Australian thing, he is a good example of being masculine but also embracing your feminine side at the same time.

Socrates and Kierkegaard. They didn't give a rip about what others thought, they did what they thought was right. And yet, they were worthy of respect.

Marcus Aurelius. The guy was the emperor of Rome, and all he cared about was getting along with others and doing the right thing.

Epicurus. His love of pleasure and avoidance of pain led him to live a commendable life surrounded by friends. The 3 most important things to Epicurus were: friends, freedom, and living an analyzed life.

Steve Martin. He has a zany sense of humor, and he made it work for him.

James fricking Bond ;-)

Fran Tarkenton, any man named Fran who could deal with all the teasing that had to involve growing up and become not only a great football player but then not let that fame go to his head has to be up there on any list.

Ditto Hugh Jackman. A handsome physical beast yet also an intelligent family man with a sense of humor.