I think it would be interesting to talk about what a real man is, from a philosophical point of view (overall view,) as well as the misconceptions and cliches that are attributed to a "real man."
Personally, I think the misconception about real man (especially in the West) is someone with brawn, logic, reason, [a lot of] his own money/job, preferably sexually virile, confident and charismatic. These are more or less all great qualities to describe a man, but it usually stops there. Moreover, these seem to define the archetypal man, leaving others with more (or less) than these qualities to be described as less than a man. For example, a lot of men in the west are turning violent, and doing other drastic activity (such as theft, murder, suicide, etc.) because of the economy. Money is a large definer in Western masculinity - the ability to provide for one's family. But, the same man suffering in this economy could be intelligent, motivated, charismatic, logical, reasonable, etc. Yet, a loss of one of these "standards" causes him to feel inadequate.
To me, a man is logical, sensitive, reasonable, patient, loving, caring, strong mentally, a leader, intelligent, wise, cunning, courageous and confident. These traits are independent of physical or financial status. Muscles fade, bones break, and money melts and burns. But, to me, these qualities would last - from rich to poor, peak fitness to sickness - in a real man.
What about you?
Personally, I think the misconception about real man (especially in the West) is someone with brawn, logic, reason, [a lot of] his own money/job, preferably sexually virile, confident and charismatic. These are more or less all great qualities to describe a man, but it usually stops there. Moreover, these seem to define the archetypal man, leaving others with more (or less) than these qualities to be described as less than a man. For example, a lot of men in the west are turning violent, and doing other drastic activity (such as theft, murder, suicide, etc.) because of the economy. Money is a large definer in Western masculinity - the ability to provide for one's family. But, the same man suffering in this economy could be intelligent, motivated, charismatic, logical, reasonable, etc. Yet, a loss of one of these "standards" causes him to feel inadequate.
To me, a man is logical, sensitive, reasonable, patient, loving, caring, strong mentally, a leader, intelligent, wise, cunning, courageous and confident. These traits are independent of physical or financial status. Muscles fade, bones break, and money melts and burns. But, to me, these qualities would last - from rich to poor, peak fitness to sickness - in a real man.
What about you?
