What is a "real man?"?

I would guess me.

I am so not surprised… ;)

Did I mention I have big feet too?

Mr_M definitely fits the bill.

he’s so primal

I’m open to anyone being a real man. Of course I have my ideal man but that is quite a different topic. I could take the question in a different sense and say a real man is one that accepts responsibility for himself and his actions as one point (versus a man who for example abandons his children, when I hear other say he is not a “real man” i would often agree).

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Respects and cares for his family and other loved ones, to the best of his ability and has self respect and self dignity.

I’ve know a few, one of whom is a homosexual man.

astrochuck

@Triiiple Dang! I was going to say real men have buzz cuts, plaid shirts and large ears. ^^

A decent human being who identifies as a man, but doesn’t limit himself – how he expresses himself, how he cares for people – by social expectations of what’s not acceptable in people just because they’re male*.

As @RedPowerLady & @VzzBzz said, part of being a decent male person is respecting others, being aware of the power society gives guys & how that affects his life/viewpoint, and never abusing the physical strength that often comes with male bodies.

In case this isn’t amply clear from the term ‘decent human being’, but i’d view anyone who rapes, if they’re male, to be less of a man. First in foremost, they’d be much less of a human being – but for some reason, it seems like putting in it terms of ‘real manliness’ rather than our universal identity as a species means a lot more to many people.

* This means, ideally, not becoming alienated from feminine aspects of his personality – (i believe we all, to varying degrees, have masculine & feminine tendencies in a way which doesn’t have a lot to do with what bits we have) – if he recieves a message from peers/whoever that it’s a horrid & shameful thing for a guy to act in any way that can be construed as feminine. I think, aside from allowing way more personal growth and psychological stability, that would translate into a healthier view of women… or even those who don’t conform to the norms of sexuality & binary gender.

a real man cooks.
a real man has a joint account with his wife.
a real man disciplines his children. they are his children and not “friends.”
a real man apologizes.
a real man cries.
a real man listens to his wife.
a real man empathizes with others.
a real man goes places with his woman he really does not want to go.
a real man knows how to changes flat tires.
a real man calls his wife to see how her day is going.
a real man loves his mother.
a real man has a spiritual connection.
a real man prays out loud and in his heart.
a real man comes home and puts childish behavior away.
a real man loves his home, cuts grass, shovels snow and eats last.

A real man has male genitals. That is the only requirement. No macho bullshit necessary.

@AstroChuck: Oh yeah, oh yeah? Well some biological men are born without male genetalia. So there.

Or some biological men have terrible accidents brought on by scorned women or improperly handled power tools.

“A real man has male genitals.”

FALSE.

Real Men Don’t Eat Quiche

A real man is not a pretend man.

Pretend men pretend in so many ways, born, I believe, mostly out of lack of confidence. Machismo, I think, achieves the opposite of what it is supposed to achieve—it shows weakness that must be covered up with braggadocio.

The need to resort to fighting at the drop of a hat, is a sign of a pretend man. The need to hide true feelings is the sign of a pretend man. The need to maintain primacy over women, children, and anyone else they can, is a sign of a pretend man.

Real men are confident in who they are. They don’t need to pretend anything. If they have a weakness, they admit to it. They behave politely and respectfully to everyone who returns that courtesy. They seek to cooperate instead of dominate. They take turns with everyone else at being leaders. The see leadership as service, not status.

Real men don’t brag or sell themselves. They let their work speak for them. Real men are responsible not just for themselves and their families, but for the entire community, if not the entire world. They think far into the future, and act now.

There are many real men in the world. Unfortunately, there are many pretend men, too.

He poops and he pees.

@charliecompany34 I wish that I could give you more than one great answer!

A real man has integrity, is fair, and hardworking. He loves his woman right, and teaches his children how to be good people. A real man tries his best within his community and isn’t a schemer, a cheat, or a crook. A real man doesn’t give in to petty temptations or let them rule his life. I think a real man represents, or tries his hardest to represent all that is good in the human spirit and dignity, and maintains a modicum of strength to stand against those who threaten these ideals.

One that can walk his talk. In my eyes, that also makes a “real woman” too.

I read that as “walk and talk” at first.