What does it mean to be a "true man"?

RockmanXX · 2021-04-10T10:23:15+00:00

Rules such as not speaking up about your own mental health

There's no "rule" that says you shouldn't speak up about mental health. You CAN, its just that you're outing yourself as a weakling if you expose your vulnerabilities. Weakness in Men lowers their Status, Strength(perceived or real) elevates Male Status. Are you wiling to appear like a "Faggot"(not my words but Society's) to express your true feelings?

There's nothing wrong with Men wearing dress, men being nerdy, men being virgins or Men being weak in General, but what shall we do with the army of assholes who relentlessly bully Men for being "Weak"? A Combative brand of Masculinity is almost a necessity for Men. If we don't tell these Tradcons to fuck themselves, they'll never go away and they'll keep bullying Men into Conformity. And by "Tradcons" i don't just mean Far Right, i mean anyone who enforces Male Gender Role via shaming language. Liberals&Feminists do this all the time.

society's views on what a true man is shouldn't hold you back from living your best life.

But it does, Society punishes you for stepping out of your regimented place in Society.

BloomingBrains · 2021-04-10T07:17:00+00:00

I reject the premises of the question completely. There is no set criteria for what defines a man outside of biology/identity. To say otherwise is the no true Scotsman's fallacy. It also promotes misandry, negative stereotypes about men, and encourages blind conformity.

DistrictAccurate · 2021-04-10T06:36:54+00:00

I believe anything that includes "real man", "true man" or whatever else you want to call it implies that men would have the obligation to adhere to a set of rules for their existence to be deemed valid, which is a misandristic idea.

However well intended all those "real men show emotions" posts may be, imo they miss the point by a long shot and are not helpful. The whole idea of any set of rules for what a "real" or "true" man is has to be dismissed. There is no reason for me to gatekeep that term. I do not care about your chromosomes, genitalia, clothes or whatever. You can be XX, have a pussy and yet me calling you a man would take nothing away from me but help someone else to feel accepted. Same goes for traditionally feminine boys (commonly referring to themselves as Femboys) who may wear less traditionally masculine clothing or act less traditionally masculine, yet how does it make them less of a boy / man?

There's an easy rule for what a man is to me, though: You tell me you are a boy or man and I will then consider you that regardless of it not being in line with any traditional and usually misandristic expectations that highly restricted men's freedom - be it in behaviour, safety, health, protection, bodily autonomy or sexuality. Ain't that easy? No jury to award the "real/true man" title to worthy individuals needed. Everybody is worthy and the "true man" term is of no use anymore.

aoishimapan · 2021-04-10T09:29:33+00:00

That's something with only subjective answers tied to the culture of the person you're asking that question. What's generally considered to be a "true man" is someone who follows the established male gender roles from that culture, so in our case things such as being able and willing to provide, being confident, assertive, strong, etc.

In my opinion there is no such a thing as a "true man", just men. Being a man has nothing to do with following a guideline, it's not a title you have to earn by proving that you can check all the imaginary checkboxes; you simply are one.

EventfulAnimal · 2021-04-10T11:19:56+00:00

Fuck this question. Just be your best.

CyclopeWarrior · 2021-04-10T10:57:51+00:00

Man all the comments missing your point entirely lol. Yeah there's def a set of guidelines to being a "proper man" no matter the culture you're in. We have dressing rules we have behaviour rules we have personality rules. Step outside any of those social norms too much and THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES.

Noticing those guidelines and rejecting them if we don't like em is definitely a step in the direction of our freedom.

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