Posted by jkm822 at 208.140.189.12 on July 11, 2001 at 16:57:23:
In Reply to: Re: The lucky ones posted by TPS_report on July 11, 2001 at 16:27:42:
No reason to apologize - damned fine addition to this rather long thread. If anyone should apologize, it's me - I keep it going!
You're ABSOLUTELY right about men outgrowing the roles that are thrust upon them. Though we may still live in a predominantly male-dominated society, that doesn't change the fact that men're given a set of rules and types that they're supposed to conform to, the same as women are. When you think of it, it's only natural; we're brought up by people who were raised to think of manly and womanly behavior in a specific way. They were taught by their parents the same way, and so on all the way back. That's all reinforced by the culture that surrounds us, and all the forms of media within it. And it's hard as hell to break away from that; ask any woman who's tried! But at least women HAVE tried. Men, for the most part, haven't. And I agree with Ben - it's time to come up with a new definition of "man," combining the best aspects of sensitive guy and masculine guy. 'Cause again, I can't speak for anyone else, but I know that's what I'm looking for; a guy who can be sensitive enough to listen, and care, and to have emotions, and man enough to "fuck with those who fuck with me."
Try like hell to learn who you want to be, not what the "powers that be" want you to be.
Jill