What defines a man?

[Dr.Poisonfreak]

I did a quick search on this, couldn't find anything o if there is already something like it and i didn't spot it, i fail.

It was a thought i had while stuck on the checkouts at work with no customers.

What defines " a man" ?

For example, if you play foot ball or rugby, or go to see either of these sports, it can be considered manly, especially with beer in hand, i just wonder "why?" what part of that exactly makes it manly? can a woman not do exactly the same? does that make her a man as well?

Please share your thoughts.

EDIT: I meant in the non reproductive organ way, but thank you for making me smile

 

[Danny Ocean]

For example, if you play foot ball or rugby, ror go to see either of these sports, it can be considered manly, especially with beer in hand, i just wonder "why?" what part of that exactly makes it manly? can a woman not do exactly the same? does that make her a man as well?

Rugby causes you pain. Pain tolerance is being manly. Emotional, or physical, it mustn't be shown.

Which is ironic, as women apparently deal with pain better than men do.

 

[LRT]

What defines " a man" ?

a Y chromosome

 

[Radeonx]

A man is a person that has male genitalia. Nothing more, nothing less. Pain tolerance, intelligence level, all of that is meaningless. There are a few slight differences in between the two genders, but nothing of major importance.

 

[Curtmiester]

I always thought a penis ment you were a man. I was taught not to think of being a man as black and white.

 

[Last of the Chinchillas]

What defines " a man" ?

Usually, a dictionary.
But different societies and cultures have different ideals of manliness. There really is no one standard definition for such a thing.

 

[Jedamethis]

well, a being a man, is having a penis, being manly I suppose is pain tolerance, like Danny Ocean said

 

[spuddyt]

What defines " a man" ?

a Y chromosome

Don't hermaphrodites have one too?

 

[DigitalSushi]

how many roads he walks down?.

 

[Conveant0]

"A man chooses, a slave obeys"

 

[Booze_Hound]

Male sexual organs doesn't make a man - they can be intersex (XXY for example) or chimeras (part man and woman). It's a cultural thing mostly.

 

[SonicKoala]

Concepts of masculinity vary from culture to culture, as well as varying throughout time. Hundreds of years ago, drinking beer or chopping wood while wrestling bears for fun wasn't exactly considered "masculine" (although it was still probably considered fucking awesome). Similarily, qualities which we observe as being "feminine" (the whole "lady" concept) didn't really come into existence until the late 1700s/1800s (in Europe, mind you).

I don't think you can define a "man", just as you can't define a "woman". Such concepts only serve to further divide people based on sex, particularly if going by the North American/European constructs of what constitutes a "real man" and a "real woman". People are people, regardless of sex, or race, or any other divide that we use to categorize ourselves. I think the definition of what is "manly" is probably going to change in a few decades anyway, so I choose to just ignore that idea and simply be myself, rather than trying to adhere to some pre-conceived notions.

 

[Circleseer]

A man is a person of the male gender who has reached a certain mental maturity.

By that I mean he takes responsibility for what he has done or has to do, he treats women with respect, he does not resort to violence unless there is no other way, and he is prepared to think about and deal with issues that come up in life.

Also, he stands for what he believes in, and protects those he loves.



But that's just what I've been taught ofcource.

 

[Seldon2639]

For example, if you play foot ball or rugby, ror go to see either of these sports, it can be considered manly, especially with beer in hand, i just wonder "why?" what part of that exactly makes it manly? can a woman not do exactly the same? does that make her a man as well?

Rugby causes you pain. Pain tolerance is being manly. Emotional, or physical, it mustn't be shown.

Which is ironic, as women apparently deal with pain better than men do.

The whole "needing to give birth to a watermelon-sized creature" thing helps with that. Generally, I've defined manliness in terms of a quiet resolve. Strength of character, more than physical strength. Discipline in ones actions, as well as honor and decency. Skill in a sport, or other physical activity, can be demonstration of that, but it's not the be all and end all.