Definition Essay: What It Means To Be A Man

After examining the readings, I explored what it means to be a man. The meaning of what it means to be a man depends on who you ask because it can be a number of different things to anyone. In some places you have to go through a circumcision operation, why? Because “coming into manhood is not simply a matter of growth and maturity.” In other areas it’s not necessary for males to go through this, but they do need to meet some requirements in order to be considered a man. In Looking for my Prince Charming, the man is characterized by being successful, has good manners, and travels, but the mother of this male describes him in inches, which makes me think that some people think a male is a man when he has reached a certain height. In the past, I’ve heard people say that a man is a male who is authoritative, responsible, strong, and has his life together (this isn’t true for everyone, but it’s what some of my friends think). Overall, being a man doesn’t happen to people naturally, they need to show certain characteristics, complete certain tasks, or simply act as a man. …show more content…
An example is The Initiation of a Maasai Warrior, as I’ve mentioned, in order to be considered a man you have to do a circumcision surgery. “Circumcision means a break between childhood and adulthood, you are regarded as a complete man afterwards.” During the surgery, you must not move a muscle. “The slightest movement on your part will mean you are a coward, incompetent and unworthy to be a Maasai man.” The male from this article, emerged as a man the day that his head was shaved and was a Maasai warrior, but for this he needed to be circumcised. In other places you need to demonstrate that you are a man by being brave or by doing what other males that are considered men