17 ms·

"'being a man' very much means being strong, independent, self-reliant and unassailable" So you are only a man if you fit this very specific characteristics?

• jheriko 12y ago
  i don't mean it so literally, it is a misfortune of how these words are commonly used to describe character traits that have nothing to do with gender. its nothing about masculinity, or machismo... this concept of 'being a man about it' i think most people understand if you say it that way, which is why i use those words. its a shame that it is such a gender specific term because 'manning up' and 'not being such a girl' are things that i believe women should equally be encouraged to do as men. the fact that the terminology is classically steeped in sexism really sucks because it quite literally turns 'being a man' into a compliment and 'being a girl' into an insult... all people should be encouraged to be strong and self-reliant.