Poll: The Manliness Conundrum

[KeyMaster45]

I've always seen the idea of manliness to be more of a joke that's best used to create characters such as Saxton Hale or as an abstract reason for why Sean Conory was the best James Bond. It's rare that I hear the term 'manly' without it being part of some tongue in cheek comment. To be 'manly' nowadays, I find, means to be an over the top stereotype of the male gender. Same thing would apply to being 'womanly' except that falls under the trope of Stepford Wives, and that actually can get a bit creepy.

 

[Leemaster777]

A man knows the laws, respects the laws, and obeys the laws.

A REAL man does all this, but also knows when said laws need to be broken.

So the only difference between a real man and an asshole is timing.

 

[SilentCom]

I'm a young man but I don't really consider myself manly, at least not on the context of the stereotype.

 

[Thedayrecker]

Well, I'm a vegetarian, so I guess I'm not too manly.

At the same time, I'm usually one of the first in my group of friends to try something potentially dangerous/stupid, which feels pretty manly to me...

 

[Janktrio]

Yes. A real man should follow the "man rules", just like a little *****. +++SARCASM CORE SELF TEST COMPLETE+++

Seriously though, a dude who goes around acting a certain way because he thinks that'll please other men? Freud would have a field day with that.

You sir, made me laugh out loud in real life. +1 internets to you!

 

[UnendingLight]

I am a man because I conduct myself with honor (and I have the right chromosomes). The first guy described in your story is just an over aggressive douche. Those that live by the "man law" are just looking for dominance over others and reassurance that they are "men." Real men don't need that kind of reassurance, they know what they are, are respectful, and act their age.

 

[370999]

I've never heard of this "Man Law," but I would say that a real man has to be true to himself and do what he believes is right. Also testicles and a Y-chromosome are mandatory.

This is Man's Law according to urbandictionary.com. No idea if it was being used in the same context in your discussion or not:

"An unspoken, unwritten law, whereas one man will not expose another man's attempt to get action on the side. Ironically, one of the only ways to find out about said law, is to break it."

That's the Man's Law? Hmph! Well it's my opinion that any man trying to get action on the side needs to be punched in the face repeatedly, but that's just me. ...or better yet kicked in the balls repeatedly.

Would you do the same thing on a woman? Would you cheer the stoning of them?

Nah I know your joking but I hate this whole he/she cheated and should be put to death. Yes it fucking stings like a mofo and is incredibly selfish but I hate making superficial judgement of relationship's I don't know. Also I disliek the cocnept that violence should be the response to immorality.

I imagine they were actually refering to male societal standards (probably toughness, interests in team sports played by males, ability to do violence, emotional stoicism, etc) and honestly I have no problems with people wanting to follow a society standards for behaviour. They do give you a good guide on what's expected. Of course they can also be retrrograde but that is the anture of the game.

 

[Kwaren]

I am manly because only real men have the guts to wear My Little Pony shirts in public.

 

[Kargathia]

I can't give you a failsafe answer on how to be "manly", but I can tell you that debating it on the internet probably is not the way to go.

 

[Delicious Anathema]

I'm a man and I act like one, though I take care of myself with some woman-like attention.
To compensate, I'm homophobic.

 

[Choppaduel]

This is entirely superficial.

The only real indicator is whether you posses a Y chromosome.

 

[l3o2828]

Manliness is a dated conception and should be completly abolished, just like sexisms.
but anyways, i don't consider myself 'manly'

 

[ZeroMachine]

I went with "other", as in "I don't care if I'm considered manly or not as it's had no bearing on my life thus far."

 

[k-ossuburb]

Well, I'm male, but "manly"? No, and nor would I want to be associated with such arcane designation.

The notion of being "manly" is something we should've left behind decades ago. If anything, it should only be used ironically to parody the backwards thinking of previous generations and their flawed notions of gender roles. People of all sexualities are equally capable of everything, so the idea of claiming something belongs to a specific gender is just pointless by today's standards.

So, yeah, in order for me to distance myself from that culture I've chosen not to have myself associated with that label in the hopes that it will not perpetuate any longer.

 

[The Funslinger]

A real man is refined, yet badass.
They know both which fork to use for salad, and which fork to use for plucking out the eyes of their enemies.
Real men respect man law, and obey it.

This. A real man understands that the value of a frosty beer is twofold, in that is is crisp and refreshing, but also shatters nicely to become a weapon that is lethal in its simplicity.

 

[MikailCaboose]

...There's a LAW for this stuff???
Well that's new. Well, I don't really...consider myself that manly actually...

 

[Crash486]

Why are there so many my little pony avatars in this thread?

 

[Thaluikhain]

The concept is absurd. What virtues are men obliged to have that women shouldn't have also?

Man's law sounds like the sort of thing you use as a defense to your family after getting a ride home from the real law.

 

[BoogieManFL]

One mans view of being "a man" is different from another..

I'm not a man in that I'm not into sports or drinking beer (or any alcohol really) and I don't act macho and tough.

However, I am a man in that am polite to ladies and show them the courtesy of opening doors for them, watching my language around them, and other gentlemanly activities. And I don't hesitate to ask for assistance or direction if it would help.

I am also a man in that I am guided more by logic than emotion.

So take that as you will. I think I'm in man in the best ways that count. Maybe not a man to other men who are different, however.

 

[cthulhumythos]

i'm manly because i eat sharpened nails for breakfast. without milk.