Real men

[Just Anne]

Just caught the end of an interview with James May on radio 2 talking about 'real men' and manliness. Got me thinking, what is a 'real man' and have our views changed on this over the past few decades? Discuss...

I'll start you off with a few atributes I would include if I were to describe a 'real man':-

• knows how things work, (engines, lighting circuits, boilers)
  
• owns and knows how to use tools and fix stuff (even if he prefers to pay someone else to do it)
  
• would protect/defend anyone if he felt they needed help
  
• does NOT think that holding a door open/giving up a chair/offering to help undo a jar or change a wheel for a woman is sexist
  

I think I have changed my views on this over the years and have come to the conclusion that expecting men to do the above as well as cook, clean, be in touch with their feminine side is probably unreasonable. Not saying they can't do this, just that expecting it may be unfair. Just my view.

Anne