Thursday, November 27, 2008

TRUE MANLINESS

In "Things Fall Apart," manliness is always associated with physical strength and bravery. How about you? What is your idea or concept of true "manliness”?

My number one criterion for "manliness" is a man's sense of RESPONSIBILITY. Men right now are classified as the macho men, the metro-sexual, the "just-effeminate" men and lastly, the self-proclaimed gays. But for me, these classifications are not important. What I deem worth considering is how a man faithfully loves and supports his family's needs despite the heavy yoke placed on their shoulders (because I think they are also discriminated in some ways)and the testing temptations of the modern world. So long as he knows his limitations (and not forget his loyalty to his girlfriend or wife), so long as he does not let other suffer because of his pride...I think he is already MAN enough for me.

14 comments:

Unknown said...

"Manliness" is usually associated with men, hiding their true emotions. They wear a mask showing a stronger side of them, one who doesn't show the emotions of happiness, weakness nor sadness.

But manliness for me is the ability for men to show who they really are, whether they are strong or weak.

Unknown said...

For me being a man is being true to yourself. It is okay to show a little emotions because it shows that you are brave enough to face problems and show the right emotions at the right time. it is not being gay but it is being a man.

Deiparine, Mytzy II-3

PoisonedRose said...

Manliness - many stereotyped views of men have been associated with
this word like being virile and not showing any wayward signs of emotion, as what the universally-acclaimed notion dictates.

However, in my opinion, being a man is just simply being true to oneself, living up with his own moral standards (and the standards of others as well) to offer what he can do best for the world. It's not about his physique and appearance but it's the inside that counts. He should live out what is ethically and morally correct in order to be called a real man.

And emotions should not also be associated with weakness, for not showing any kind of emotion at all and just keeping it bottled up inside is what makes one emotionally weak. It doesn't imply courage at all and in fact, conveys the opposite. You are so afraid of what others might think of you if you show a particular emotion that they do not expect, you kept it bottled inside. This shows how pusillanimous the person is since he cannot show what he really feels. After all, human beings all have them. ~Jeline II-2

3xie said...

yah..i agree...also manliness for me..is the way of treating his family very well and not beating them... -trixie ocampo II-1

Carmela Moran said...

True manliness is when I see a grown-up man cry.

It means that he's not afraid of showing how he really feels.

Unlike Okonkwo, he's afraid of what people might think of him when he would show his soft side.

I say, I don't care if a man shows his affectionate side. It only means that he believes in his self and the social disturbance will not affect how he thinks of himself.

-MORAN, Carmela II -4

Miara said...

Manliness for me is a man who isn't afraid to express his real feelings. And show that he's sensitive enough for the outcome of his actions.

leng said...

Manliness for me is being not afraid of showing who you are and not scared to show emotions. it is someone who can handle his duties with management.

-ellaine bernardino II-3

Bea L. said...

For me manliness does no mean who is the strongest. For me it is the way you treat others and yourself.

michelle said...

For me, manliness is having the courage to show your true emotions. It is not showing the whole world how strong and brave you are, but having the guts to admit that there really are times that you feel weak and need the help of other people.

- michelle guerrero, II-3

Sara Alarcon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sara Alarcon said...

For me, manliness isn't always supposed to be how strong a man is and how brave he is. I think that a man can show his manliness if he can handle situations well. Also if he can show what he feels inside.

Today, most men are trying to be strong even if they're having a bad time and are experiencing problem. That's why, people often misunderstand them.

Strong men are those who can show their true self to others because they are not afraid to what other people would think. Lastly, because they know that it is wrong to pretend, to lie, and to hide.

--Sara Alarcon

Unknown said...

I agree with Mytzy. Manliness is when a man is true to himself. Actually, this not only works for men, but for women, too! Men should learn to let go of stereotypes and be comfortable showing emotions, or doing things that are usually associated with femininity. [not to the point of being gay, though]

Tricia said...

Putting the needs of others before one's own is my concept of true manliness. Men who possess true "manliness" will do what they can to help others. They are sensitive enough to wilingly share their skills or knowledge when others need them.

- Tricia R. II-4

Lexiz said...

Manliness is not fully associated with being archaic. A person is claimed to be a true man when he respects the right of others, when he knows how to control his emotions, and when he fights for what is right and genuine.