* MAN

THE CONUNDRUM

" Do we refer to a very masculine lesbian woman as a man, or do we still consider her a woman? Do we refer to a very feminine man, who wishes  to be a woman, as a man or a woman? These are two of the major questions our generation has to answer. "  

(Excerpt above from the paper of a student --- and perhaps a future news analyst --- in my  Advanced American Literature 11 class.)

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QUOTES EXCERPTED FROM STUDENT PAPERS: 


(Note: Biological Determinism is the theory that one's body determines one's fate, i.e. that a body which produces babies and milk is destined to procreate and feed others while a body which substitutes muscles for procreative powers is destined to subdue the earth and subdue others with those muscles.) 

• 1.  Men need to always be able to take the lid off a pickle jar if it is stuck.
• 2.    A man must be willing to accept the cold hard truth. He may not be as important in the world as some women. However, if a man can accept the reformed hierarchy he can still be a proud man. For a true man does not have to be the best there is. In fact, a real man is much less than  the best. A real man is humble and proud.
• 3.  A man should be able to come home after working all day and be able to protect and be brave for his family. He is strong, no matter what comes his way. He won't break down in front of his family.
• 4.  I think the most important definition of men is responsibility. And another point is calmness. A man cannot be too impatient.
• 5.  The hunt becomes a hunt for something more elusive than a deer, it becomes the hunt for his own worth, a place in which he can do what he can to improve the world.
•  6.  . . . men aren't as cruel today as they have been in the past.  There are accounts of seemingly heartless men in countless books, videos, newspaper articles, etc. Males today are more compassionate as opposed to males of the past.
• 7.  A man is defined as someone who contributes as a provider, is a father to his children, and is a respectful husband.
• 8.  The great thing about about this era is that there isn't as distinct a role for a man to play so he can be anything he wants to be.
• 9.  One thing that makes a man is his ability to take control. This doesn't mean he has to be controlling at all times, or by any means bossy, but he has to be able to step up and lead others
• 10.  . . . in simplest terms, it used to mean that a man was someone with male parts. Now there are surgeries that can contradict that definition. Also, the roles that a man would have in the home are different. A man can stay at home and take care of the house and kids while the wife goes and makes the money.
• 11.  Men of the 21st Century have the natural instinct to be protective, whether it is over themselves or their loved ones.
•  12.  But what has changed drastically is a woman's dependence on a man. Therefore my definition of a man is shaped in some ways from my definition of what a woman is  . . . Men are, for the most part, genetically stronger and more capable than women and that's something that time will never change.   
• 13.  The first problem we come across is deciding who is, and who isn't, a man . . .Our generation has started to accept gay people, and it's gotten to the extent that we can't tell who is and isn't a man. Do we refer to a very masculine lesbian woman as a man, or do we still consider her a woman? Do we refer to a very feminine man, who wishes  to be a woman, as a man or a woman? These are two of the major questions our generation has to answer.
• 14.   The 2012 males are more sensitive. They see the struggle in their home and help. Men in 2012 can cry and show emotion and sensitivity without being looked down upon or judged.
• 15.  A definition of a man in 2012 is someone who is arrogant, has strong opinions and is more physical. A lot of men in politics, government and business think they are always right in all situations. Men are less likely to listen to others' opinions and relationships are not as important to them as being right.
• 16.  20th Century men held their feelings inside and refused to be seen shedding a tear, because it made them look like a girl.  Now, a man cries more than ever, whether they are tears of joy or tears of sadness. A man is also more domestic than he used to be . . . cooking, or cleaning, or maybe even doing both.
• 17.  A man with or without a family must provide food and shelter for himself and his loved ones no matter the cost. 
• 18.  A stereotypical man of the year 2012 through America's perspective is seen as the provider of the family, the lawn EXPERT, and the dictator of the household.
• 19.  A man knows how to love and protect, knows the difference between what is important and what isn't and is determined to share his life with a woman who has the same potential in supporting a family as he does.
• 20.  Men are . . . seen as the superior of their relationship and they are supposed to do more work than the women.
• 21.  A protective man is always looking out for the people he loves and putting them first. He makes sure his woman is always proper. He would quickly beat a guy for even looking at her wrong or saying something offensive. A hard working man always gives his family what they need.
• 22.  It seems like men tend to think they always have to have something going on or always have to be doing something, whether it be sports, work, projects, etc.  It seems like they have to be doing something or they are considered lazy.
• 23.  A man without a great work ethic can barely even call himself a man these days. The foundation for everything a man wants to be while growing up starts with hard work.  Success is the word for this common goal.
• 24.   . . .he would be defined as a hard worker, a provider, and a protector of his family.