Define Being a Man

[straysweeper]

I like this to be akin to purpose. Is a Man without a purpose still a Man? That is a question I ask. That and how others smart people define the nature of Men. How women separate a boy from Man. This quote from the bible comes to mind, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child: but when I became a. man, I put away childish things.” Also too, Say what you mean, Mean what you say.

What are your thoughts on this issue?

___________________ Edit ______________

I thought I'd add why I posted this. I learned recently that my sisters boyfriend/fiance slashed a tire on her car when she was trying to leave him with the children. It is implied that there was an argument and they have had similar bouts of this in the past. I personally can never imagine being like this, but I also know his background. So, while I can never imagine it, I can understand the unconsciousness of it all.

[Starman]

Originally Posted by straysweeper

I like this to be akin to purpose. Is a Man without a purpose still a Man? That is a question I ask. That and how others smart people define the nature of Men. How women separate a boy from Man. This quote from the bible comes to mind, "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child: but when I became a. man, I put away childish things.” Also too, Say what you mean, Mean what you say.

What are your thoughts on this issue?

___________________ Edit ______________

I thought I'd add why I posted this. I learned recently that my sisters boyfriend/fiance slashed a tire on her car when she was trying to leave him with the children. It is implied that there was an argument and they have had similar bouts of this in the past. I personally can never imagine being like this, but I also know his background. So, while I can never imagine it, I can understand the unconsciousness of it all.

One of the biggest problems in life is the lack of the official "Defination Person", who defines exactly what everything is supposed to mean, thus the problem of everyone making things up as we go.

Since I am a man (or at least I'd like to think so), I can give you my defination, but I think it's a personal matter, and I certainly wouldn't think that I have any right to determine the meaning of "man" for anyone else.

My defination of 'Man': (other than the obvious one that has to do with Gender):

One who maintains a position of strength, mainly for the support and benefit of others who he cares about. Not that he's not weak sometimes, but he wants to be there, able to support the ones he loves when they are weak.

The force that provides a family (even if that family consists of just himself) with a sense of direction, which answers the question, where will we be tomorrow, and why is being there going to be beneficial to us. Provider of confidence to others that choose to live with him, in that someone knows where we all are going, and why.

One who holds himself responsible for providing for the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of those he feels responsible for, but not necessairly the only one that provides, just the one that's doing all he can to ensure they are. He doesn't abandon those he knows is counting on and dependent on him, so realizes he will have to sacrifice some things he may want to be this provider for others.

A teacher, who prepares his offspring as best he can, to succeed in the world, whatever that means to each individual.

One that serves as a male role model, to show others how to properly relate to the oppsite gender, by example, because some things are not so much taught as they are caught, in the context of how life unfolds day to day.

I'm sure there's more, but I'm tired of typing.

Again, this is my idea for myself, so it probably won't work for someone else, or maybe it will, I don't know.

[missing]

I don't think it's all that complicated. You just need to always maintain your self respect and dignity, and stay true to yourself. That can mean anything really, including slashing somebody's tire in certain situations. Not saying it was justified in the Op's scenario, who knows, but such an act really has little to do with "being a man". It's more about principle than action.

[Starman]

Originally Posted by missing

I don't think it's all that complicated. You just need to always maintain your self respect and dignity, and stay true to yourself. That can mean anything really, including slashing somebody's tire in certain situations. Not saying it was justified in the Op's scenario, who knows, but such an act really has little to do with "being a man". It's more about principle than action.

I agree, self-respect is important, so is dignity. I don't know about slashing a tire, unless of course, I was being attacked by one.

If I have a problem with someone, I'm dealing with them, not their tire. I don't believe in being passive-aggressive, just aggressive, when the situation calls for it. I try to be nice and peaceful, but if someone insists on getting nasty, well, then I'm not playing around.