What is a man?

[scapigliato]

I’ve often heard heterosexual women say “I like my men to be men; but I also want them to be more sensitive.” What is this even supposed to mean? For one thing I would like to know how it is that a man is a man; how is a man supposed to be? Traditionally being a man entails being tough and aggressive, internalizing emotional distress, being

Comments

[macheteprincess]

I think people tend to seek out what is expected of them. Women want the man who their friends will envy, someone very strong and socially acceptable, but also someone who will understand their feelings and be a goof father.

People retain narrow views of gender because it's frightening to question the stereotypes, or to admit that you are stereotyping. The only way you can really learn about broader interpretations of gender is to commicate and learn from someone, who may be outside of the norm, or who may be far more accepting of gender roles that are outside of the norm that society has set for them.

Personally, I like men who question the roles that others want to put them in. It's more interesting to explore every single aspect of yourself, and learn other ways of thinking, other ways of expressing who you are.

[daddysambiguity]

Word.

[rainyspirits]

It's all complete bullshit.

I agree with you on this however I must digress here:

Women can possess any of the aforementioned “masculine” characteristics without having her femininity put in question,

Although I do believe it is more acceptable for women to possess masculine characteristics and not be criticised that does not mean that a woman's femininity is not put into question for such stereotypical characteristics. Speaking from a personal standpoint, I have even experienced people questioning my feminity. Although, such questioning is not always done due to "masculine characteristics" possessed by a female. A woman's feminity can also be questioned if she does not feel a need for a relationship or if she rejects certain stereotypical female things such as make-up.

Possibly I might reply with something meaningful after I eat and my brain starts functioning again. Possibly.

[breedom]

an example that pertains to both of us is short hair.
You ever had a person call you guy-ish because your hair isnt long?

in order for a woman to not have her femininity questioned if she possesses those "masculine" traits, like aggression and such, she has to LOOK more feminine.

[breedom]

Some of us want men who are "manly" enough to squish spiders in the house,
but nice enough to go put the spider outside instead.

[aegeangoddess]

There are as many viewpoints to this as there are people. I have to go to the doctor, unfortuantely, so I need to scram. But I try not to assume bad stuff about people. I think compassion for those who are different or you might not understand is the key. I think of my brother often who knows how to play the game better than I ever will, how he struggles with things even if you don’t see it, how my dad has a temper but I’d be lucky to have a husband that cares about me even ½ of how he does. I think there are as many sensitive men out there as sensitive women, even if sensitivity shows itself differently, there isn’t any way of showing how you feel that’s better than another. And sadly may not be related straight away from a guy in his 20’s to a girl …social things are responsible as well as those wonderful things testosterone and estrogen that really do affect the way you think (damn me I should know, I am off on my birth control pills, the ones that are a whole shitload of estrogen, and it has me all messed up…) we are more