What does being a man mean to you?
 

How would you describe the best virtues of modern manhood? What would you try to teach your son about being a man? Has your viewpoint changed over the years?

I ask because I have no clue (not being a man nor having a son). I'm serious, and curious as to what you think.

Being a man means never having to say you're sorry.

Wait, no, that's love.

Umm being a man means never having to admit you are wrong. If you are single.

It means nothing to me (Vienna).

End of thread, really.

Honestly, we usually play the "in this family we do X" card rather than "a real man does X," because we have yet to come across a quality that we didn't want to have apply to the girls as well. It's ultimately a pride thing--teaching them to take pride in doing the right thing, whatever that may be at the time.

Hector's the one on the right....

It applies to both, but I tried to teach my sons to do the right thing even if no one else was around.

Not having to sit down to take a leak.


Seriously, though, you ask a good question and I am slowly brewing up a proper answer. Gimme a few hours.

Killing the spiders.

Or, preferably, catching them and taking them outside.

And always being wrong if you are married.

Real men don't have to define themselves for anyone ...

... and they don't eat quiche!

Wow this is a loaded question! There is probably no completely right or completely wrong answer due to every person's needs and desires are different which leads women to seek men with different traits. While some women seek the 'bad boys' others seek the men with a softer approach to life. I'm very fortunate to have finally found a man whose core is made of both traits. He is both the 'bad boy' and the 'gentle giant'.

Heavy thread Cloud. Filled with many possibilities. I will have to think on this to give you a proper answer.

I'm with these guys. My angle is identifying what qualities should my daughters look for.

Surely, what qualities/traits they would look for that they wouldn't expect to find in both men and women...