For starters, I would in no way consider myself a full man considering I'm only a college freshman. Others may say "You're 18 though. Doesn't that name you, by law, a man?" Well, yes, but not exactly. I know of many people in their 30's or above that I wouldn't classify as a "real" man. To me a real man is someone who can keep control of their life along with setting a good example for others. For example: I am only 18 years old, yet I have been in a relationship longer than most people I know. I value my woman and treat her the way I believe all women should be treated. My girlfriend and I have been together since the 7th grade, which marks 6 years this December. Does that make me a man? Hardly. Just because you are able to keep someone happy doesn't quite give you the right to be called a man. A guy could treat a woman the correct way, but also he can be lazy and unemployed with no desire to better himself. To me that isn't a man.
"Ever since I was in my teens I have been told I look like a man considering I have a full set of facial hair." Kudos to those who think that having the "manly" physical features classify them as a man. There are many homeless drug addicts that rock the beard. That doesn't make them a man from my perspective.
A real man would do whatever it takes to become successful in terms of creating a happy lifestyle for him and those around him. My granddad is a prime example of man in my eyes. He grew up with a somewhat low class family, and everyday he made an attempt to better himself. To this day, as a 70 year old man, my granddad is not retired and is looking for some type of employment every day. He was a very successful man, but he had never earned a paycheck as he was self employed. He treated those around him respectfully no matter how ignorant the person was. He gave my grandmother the world, at least in their eyes. As he got older he began helping others, and most of the time helping others came before helping himself. One of the things he always told me that will never exit my memory is that anything can bring you happiness, but when you are able to help those around you only then will you feel joy.
My definition of a man may be different from yours or different from the person next to me. I'll leave that for you to think about in terms of what you think a "real" man may be.
This was very well said. There is no set definition to what a "real man" is. I think that each and every day people grow and should be growing to become a better man (that goes for women too). This was a very real blog especially pertaining to those in college.
ReplyDeleteWell said, different woman have different opinions on what a "real man" is; so it's the woman's choice on what they think a "real man" is and it's also the man's choice on what he thinks a "real man" is.
ReplyDeleteI love this question. Being a woman, I have never really thought about the meaning behind a "real man," but I guess people do use that expression. Seems outdated. All men (well everyone) has their flaws. Does a "real man" the idea of perfection? If so, what is perfection? I suppose being a "real man" is a self-actualization sense of mind. Does not seem definable.
ReplyDeleteeach person has their own definition on what a thing means for each word out there. great article
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