Masculine

  • August 2, 2004 – 12:35 pm
  • Posted in Uncategorized

Since my last question got a good response, here’s another one.

What does masculine mean to you?

If it helps, who are people you think are masculine and why?

3 Comments

    • Kate
    • Posted August 2, 2004 at 4:18 pm
    • Permalink

    I had to check with Webster’s before answering your question. Since the basic definition of masculine is those attributes and qualities that are {by natural or cultural design} defined as belonging to the male gender, I would have to say that I have never met a man who isn’t masculine. And I have never met a woman who is not feminine. However, both genders tend to “borrow” attributes and qualities from the other gender. When I think of masculine my initial response is that of a lover; I think of comfort, strength and arms to envelop me. The following poem by Emily Dickinson captures that feeling for me.

    “Wild Nights – Wild Nights!/Were I with thee/Wild Nights should be/Our luxury!/Futile – the Winds -/To a Heart in port -/Done with the Compass -/Done with the Chart!/Rowing in Eden -/Ah, the Sea!/Might I but moor – Tonight -/In Thee!”

    If I were to list all of those men I consider to be masculine the list would be very long indeed. All the men in my life offer varying degrees of the qualities of masculinity and because of the broadness of male attributes there can never be a comprehensive definition of masculine.

    • Kiyomi
    • Posted August 4, 2004 at 9:20 pm
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    It’s almost easier to say what I don’t find masculine, but I will try.

    While there are the obvious physical stereo types I think masculinity is ultimately a subjective definition determined by ones emotional responses.

    To me masculinity is about how a person seems, confidence without arogance, and an ability to laugh at ones self and enjoy life. Responsible, someone who makes people feel emotionally safe, trustworthy, mature enough to know when it’s okay to be imature and not be bothered by silliness to know when to be mature. Not sure that last sentance expresses things correctly, but it’s the best I could come up with.

    Now that I think about I tend to classify guys in two categories, boys/young-men meaning not mature, and men-people who have accepted their responsibilites and continue to meet life’s challenges, not always succeeding because we all fail at lots of things, but always striving to be a better person. And the way I see it all men are masculine.

    • Steve M
    • Posted August 8, 2004 at 10:49 pm
    • Permalink

    So, this will be my last comment for the night. As I read through your site, I can’t help but address this issue, since it’s especially pertinent to the way I’m treated on a daily basis. Here goes…

    I got this from dictionary.com when I searched for “masculine:”

    masculine

    \Mas”cu*line\, a. [L. masculinus, fr. masculus male, manly, dim. of mas a male: cf. F. masculin. See Male masculine.] 1. Of the male sex; not female.
    Thy masculine children, that is to say, thy sons. –Chaucer.
    2. Having the qualities of a man; suitable to, or characteristic of, a man; virile; not feminine or effeminate; strong; robust.
    That lady, after her husband’s death, held the reins with a masculine energy. –Hallam.
    3. Belonging to males; appropriated to, or used by, males. [R.] “A masculine church.” –Fuller.

    So, after reading your question, the answers people have posted, and what I got on the internet, I’m left thinking that “masculine” has never been something I defined in my own life. It’s one of those things that you will know when you see, like pornography for the courts. And yet, everytime I say the word “masculine” to myself, I see a hairy Italian guy who is suave to women, plays basketball on the weekends, and wears Old Spice when they finally put him in the nursing home. He doesn’t trim his nose hair, it just magically disappears. He doesn’t work out, but his body is that of a Greek god (which is funny, cuz he’s Italian, not Greek…)…

    I digress… What does “masculine” mean in my life. I consider myself fairly masculine. I do get a bit feminine when I’m excited, but at least I have an excuse. I don’t play basketball, or any sport at all, but I do play video games. I don’t like manual labor, but I do change the water bottles in my office and lift all the heavy files. Are these things masculine? Traditionally…I think yes. However, in the gender-bending age we are in, you are as likely to see a big fat guy changing the water bottle as a scrawny soccer-playing chick. Women have taken on roles that men have almost always occupied. Men, now, have nothing to do but take on traditional female roles. Men should cook, clean…Christ, men can even breastfeed nowadays, although it’s generally frowned upon.

    I’m still digressing aren’t I? Well, to go back to my original opinion, this is something that you know when you see, not something that can be defined, except for by Webster’s.

    Does any of that make sense? Sorry, if the answer is no…

    Steve.