I'm a closet survivalist, so my definitions of 'being a man' are perhaps a little more traditional than most people - being protector & provider. Aggression is a minor factor, but having the capacity to fight is essential.
Mind you, violence and aggression *are* undeniable aspects of testosterone.
I think it's something that women need to remember when dealing with men - the anger that a woman has experienced at her utter peak of conceivable rage is what a man experiences every time someone pulls out in front of him on the freeway, gives him a dirty look, calls him something derogatory, or even when he doesn't know where he left his keys. Men don't think about it because we're constantly having to wrestle with simmering aggression. Also, we're trained by society - as OP says - to keep our violent impulses suppressed. When we do lose control and get the serious shits, it's Bruce Banner/Hulk insanity.
I wonder whether things like domestic abuse are increasing, however. At the same time as these studies are saying testosterone is decrease, society in general is factually becoming safer - but what of things like domestic abuse?
EDIT:
People are fat because they eat too much and don't exercise, this then causes testosterone to fall as hormonal shifts are caused, leading to still less drive/aggression, leading to less exercise and what may well be a self-replicating cause-and-effect, leading ever more to fat fat fatty fat fat.
Mind you, violence and aggression *are* undeniable aspects of testosterone.
I think it's something that women need to remember when dealing with men - the anger that a woman has experienced at her utter peak of conceivable rage is what a man experiences every time someone pulls out in front of him on the freeway, gives him a dirty look, calls him something derogatory, or even when he doesn't know where he left his keys. Men don't think about it because we're constantly having to wrestle with simmering aggression. Also, we're trained by society - as OP says - to keep our violent impulses suppressed. When we do lose control and get the serious shits, it's Bruce Banner/Hulk insanity.
I wonder whether things like domestic abuse are increasing, however. At the same time as these studies are saying testosterone is decrease, society in general is factually becoming safer - but what of things like domestic abuse?
EDIT:
True, but your wording is a little off and hence confusing. I think you mean that high testosterone equals high confidence - you seem to be suggesting that an obese person's self-image changes their physiological/hormonal make up. Obese people's hormonal make up *is* definitely different, and yes, fat men generally do produce more feminine hormones in body fat, but it's a biological function and has nothing to do with some vague psychobabble self-image/feeling bad about being fat issues.Kpt._Rob said:
People are fat because they eat too much and don't exercise, this then causes testosterone to fall as hormonal shifts are caused, leading to still less drive/aggression, leading to less exercise and what may well be a self-replicating cause-and-effect, leading ever more to fat fat fatty fat fat.
