What does it mean to be a Man?

[Avon Barksdale]

I was discussing this topic with a couple of Dads over the weekend, a couple of which have teenage sons.

So what does modern masculinity mean to you? Is it to be a provider, to be a protector, to be compassionate and caring, to be strong? None, some or all of these? Do men have an identity which is distinct from women or is it the same?

I found the following mini-series from the Guardian really good on the subject, especially Episode 4 where the journalist discusses the subject with some school kids. They were pretty clued up for youngsters.

[Vam]

(will check out the vid later)

Imo, not dissimilar to what it takes to be a woman really - being a provider/protector; having an aspirational desire to make his world, and the world of those he loves, the best that it can be; plus, a generous soul coupled with a need to love and laugh.

... /end Hallmark stylee clichés

[Guest]

I was discussing this topic with a couple of Dads over the weekend, a couple of which have teenage sons.

So what does modern masculinity mean to you? Is it to be a provider, to be a protector, to be compassionate and caring, to be strong? None, some or all of these? Do men have an identity which is distinct from women or is it the same?

I found the following mini-series from the Guardian really good on the subject, especially Episode 4 where the journalist discusses the subject with some school kids. They were pretty clued up for youngsters.

To be the best you can

[Gabby]

It means they have it easy compared to women!

[Avon Barksdale]

Imo, not dissimilar to what it takes to be a woman really - being a provider/protector; having an aspirational desire to make his world, and the world of those he loves, the best that it can be; plus, a generous soul coupled with a need to love and laugh.

Cool, so this was one of the topics that came up when I discussed it with my friends - whether we are socialised into the men / women category (so we are essentially the same but Society gets in the way) or whether it is biological ( Society is structured the way it is because we are biologically different and this is reflected in the different roles men and women have traditionally held) or a bit of both.

[Nucks]

I'm not saying this is the essence of being a man, there's definitely a bit of hunterer/gatherer need with my husband. I work Saturday and Sunday mornings and always offer to pick up anything he needs for tea but he insists on popping out later on his own to get what he needs. I suppose it falls under the category of provider or protector.

[Cleopatra]

I was discussing this topic with a couple of Dads over the weekend, a couple of which have teenage sons.

So what does modern masculinity mean to you? Is it to be a provider, to be a protector, to be compassionate and caring, to be strong? None, some or all of these? Do men have an identity which is distinct from women or is it the same?

I found the following mini-series from the Guardian really good on the subject, especially Episode 4 where the journalist discusses the subject with some school kids. They were pretty clued up for youngsters.

And what does it mean for society when young men, often those in inner-city, deprived areas, are denied the opportunity to be any of those things in a healthy, productive way?

[Cleopatra]

(will check out the vid later)

Imo, not dissimilar to what it takes to be a woman really - being a provider/protector; having an aspirational desire to make his world, and the world of those he loves, the best that it can be; plus, a generous soul coupled with a need to love and laugh.

... /end Hallmark stylee clichés

All of the above...as long as he doesn't make me a daily packed lunch

[Gabby]

(will check out the vid later)

Imo, not dissimilar to what it takes to be a woman really - being a provider/protector; having an aspirational desire to make his world, and the world of those he loves, the best that it can be; plus, a generous soul coupled with a need to love and laugh.

... /end Hallmark stylee clichés

All of the above...as long as he doesn't make me a daily packed lunch

Why?..... I’m the one that does all packed lunches, it’d be quite nice to have one done for me now and then!

[Cleopatra]

(will check out the vid later)

Imo, not dissimilar to what it takes to be a woman really - being a provider/protector; having an aspirational desire to make his world, and the world of those he loves, the best that it can be; plus, a generous soul coupled with a need to love and laugh.

... /end Hallmark stylee clichés

All of the above...as long as he doesn't make me a daily packed lunch

Why?..... I’m the one that does all packed lunches, it’d be quite nice to have one done for me now and then!

It's weird, I know, but a woman at work was talking about how her husband made her a packed lunch every single day and, even though I know it's a lovely thing to do, it would put me right off him ... I have no idea why, we all have our peculiarities.

Who knows, maybe I like a bit of toxic masculinity now and again (joke)

[Gabby]

(will check out the vid later)

Imo, not dissimilar to what it takes to be a woman really - being a provider/protector; having an aspirational desire to make his world, and the world of those he loves, the best that it can be; plus, a generous soul coupled with a need to love and laugh.

... /end Hallmark stylee clichés

All of the above...as long as he doesn't make me a daily packed lunch

Why?..... I’m the one that does all packed lunches, it’d be quite nice to have one done for me now and then!

It's weird, I know, but a woman at work was talking about how her husband made her a packed lunch every single day and, even though I know it's a lovely thing to do, it would put me right off him ... I have no idea why, we all have our peculiarities.

Who knows, maybe I like a bit of toxic masculinity now and again (joke)

So you don’t like a man in the kitchen either!

[Cleopatra]

(will check out the vid later)

Imo, not dissimilar to what it takes to be a woman really - being a provider/protector; having an aspirational desire to make his world, and the world of those he loves, the best that it can be; plus, a generous soul coupled with a need to love and laugh.

... /end Hallmark stylee clichés

All of the above...as long as he doesn't make me a daily packed lunch

Why?..... I’m the one that does all packed lunches, it’d be quite nice to have one done for me now and then!

It's weird, I know, but a woman at work was talking about how her husband made her a packed lunch every single day and, even though I know it's a lovely thing to do, it would put me right off him ... I have no idea why, we all have our peculiarities.

Who knows, maybe I like a bit of toxic masculinity now and again (joke)

So you don’t like a man in the kitchen either!

I do like a man who can cook, definitely. Maybe it's the phrase "packed lunch". I'm not explaining it very well, because I don't understand it myself.

[Gabby]

..... I guess we all have our idiosyncrasies!

[Cleopatra]

:laughing: ..... I guess we all have our idiosyncrasies!

Yeah, well, on paper, we all love a good guy, but bad boys have their uses

I'm off to make my packed lunch.

[Vam]

I do like a man who can cook, definitely. Maybe it's the phrase "packed lunch". I'm not explaining it very well, because I don't understand it myself.

You are. And I get you ...