The Man Thread: a discussion (and celebration) of masculinity

Kyrin Wyldstar wrote:

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote: Who wrote his ? This is key to finding and making the distinction between character and toxicity.
These statements are why we have problems in American society

This is not the "critique my meme thread" Carlos. Stop disparaging my posts in the celebrating masculinity thread. You want to debate the merits then read the directions and get over to the debating toxic masculinity thread.

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote:
Wow

Kyrin Wyldstar wrote:

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote:
Wow

I know!! Reading is important isn't it!

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote:

Kyrin Wyldstar wrote:

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote:
Wow

I know!! Reading is important isn't it!

Please don’t speak to me like this. I find it insulting and offensive. Thank you .

Kyrin Wyldstar wrote:

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote:

Kyrin Wyldstar wrote:

Carlos.Martinez3 wrote:
Wow

I know!! Reading is important isn't it!

Please don’t speak to me like this. I find it insulting and offensive. Thank you .

But wait a minute now. Why do you get to speak to me like that and when it gets returned to you you get insulted?

This is not the "critique my meme thread" Carlos. Stop disparaging my posts in the celebrating masculinity thread. You want to debate the merits then read the directions and get over to the debating toxic masculinity thread.

OB1Shinobi wrote: If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Rudyard Kipling

Warning: Spoiler!

This topic is meant to foster discussion about masculinity and what it means to be a man. Im beginning with the presupposition that masculinity is a good thing and that boys and men need masuline images and ideals towards which we may aspire. My especial hope is for men who are “walking the walk” to provide some insight that could be useful for the younger guys who are trying to figure themselves out in this crazy, mixed up world.

A very general description that was given to me about manhood by my father in the short time that i had with him was that A Man is someone who works hard, is responsible and honest, takes care of his family and is willing to put himself at risk in order to do what he knows is right, if/when its necessary.

Of course thats a very general set of ideas and by todays standards we’d mostlly say they apply equally to men and women, if they apply at all. Im certainly not saying that women cant or dont or shouldnt do these things so dont be offended lol however, i think its geeat if people want to discuss healthy femininity, but this is the Man Thread. Please stay on topic.

Some potential talking points:

MEN
What were you taught, explicity and implicitly about what it mean to be a man? Where do you feel youve done well and where do you think you could be doing better?

Is there a difference between being a good man and being a good person? If so, what is it?


For the ... not quite young anymore, men, lol: how has your view of masculinity changed over the years?

Are there any lessons you wish you could send back in time to your younger self or to the boys and younger men of today?

What about males who dont fit the traditional images of masculinity, such as those who are gay or trans, or even those who are just not generally very competitive or athletic or “masculine”?


WOMEN
What do you think it means to be a man?

What are some your basic expectations of men?

Can you describe a time when a man didnt “measure up”, and why?

Opposite of previous question, would you share an experience of a man who impressed you as a man?

I am definitely interested in peoples answers to these questions but if you feel you have something different (but positive) to contribute, plesse do so.

Thanks

I don't have a meme, sorry, but here's a video I found that more or less expresses my feels (apparently written by a woman, but I'm sure I can just say it espouses strong masculine qualities, and since we're not allowed to call BS on clear BS, who is going to stop me?)