Is There Anything Good About Being a Man?

[Onegigapwn]

World rulers since...forever.

stronger by default. (testosterone)

more motivation by default (testosterone)

More opportunities by default.

Not concerned about appearances.

Have loads of sex and still not be looked down upon

...Did I mention we have penises?

 

[Daniel Ferguson]

Also, the 1950's woman did all the cooking and cleaning for you. You were considered king of your own household. Obviously that's dated now, but yeah. Authority.

Is that why marriage is referred to as the "ball and chain" by men nowadays?

Most people strive for the day that they no longer need to go to work, I don't see why women would want to give that up, well I do, it was big corporation propaganda. In WW2 said big corporations realised how much more money they could be making if both men and women went to work but that's a story for another time. I'd love to be a male 1950s style housewife if it was still affordable (damn corporations ).

Just saying.

No "morning after" pill, no consequences of sex (apart from any std's you may get if unprotected)

I have a problem with these two points.

The morning after pill one: I'd love a way for men to legally abort a their child, but they don't, they lose all control over the child. A man can't even abort their financial responsibility over the child if the woman refuses to listen to the man's pleas.

No consequences part: pregnancy is a consequence for the man too for reasons I just outlined.

Condoms aren't 100% effective.

It's a popular statement because some dude who *made* it popular, and single-handedly changed the world... sort of. I know plenty of men who don't think their wives are a ball and chain. The guys who subscribe to that ball and chain quote... well, that's a mysoginistic statement if I ever heard one. It shows immature, impotent hatred, and I don't want to turn into that guy - 40, still single/divorced, and has an obvious commitment problem and/or underlying hatred of females.

Men can have sex, and they don't get pregnant. That's all I mean. They're free to walk off and repeat the process, while women, if they get pregnant from a one night stand, well they have to feed and nurture that human being, if they don't abort it.

Men don't have abortions, and all the legal and ethical controversy of that. Just root and leave, if they want to.

Also... guy sleeps with 1000 women, he's a Charlie Sheen... a bloody legend. Chick sleeps with 1000 men, she's a complete whore. Better to be a man, indeed.

 

[SciMal]

I am writing a feature in journalism about being a man, and I wanted to hear people's thoughts. I won't use names, but if you want your name in a small town news paper give me the okay.

When someone asked me if there was anything good about being a man, I was stumped. The only thing that came to mind was the fact that we didn't have to deal with "Aunt Ruby coming to town".

But all joking aside, what are the upsides of being a male

-I don't have to wear a dress or leggings when it's really cold.
-I can pee standing up.
-I am perceived to be a better authority (useful for my line of work).
-I have a lower rate of very obtuse health problems (diabetes, MS, etc.).
-In general, my biology is more predictable; thus, medications are more effective.
-I don't have a fear of walking the streets alone, even at night.
-Most people are looking at my face when I talk.
-I am not usually objectified by malodorous morons, and there aren't any memes I'm aware of which are intentionally bigoted against me (i.e. - "Go make me a sammich!") and repeated by complete douchebags who are about as funny as a broken hip.
-I can pass gas in public and people will only care a little.
-I cannot be slut shamed.

To contrast, here's what I don't like about being a man:

-Every health article ever written in any mainstream news source (CNN, MSNBC, etc.) is not for me. I am a mystical creature who exists in the world, but is never studied - apparently.

-Every FASHION article ever written by any mainstream news source, most independent sources, and the driving force of the industry is not for me. (Seriously, check out men's fashion sometime... I've seen articles ranging from what graphic tees are in, to the shape of the collar on business suits.) Also, if you think it's hard finding clothes in your size, ladies, try being a tall guy who's also not obese. If you can find me a 38L x 34W pair of pants that's not a pair of blue jeans or Dockers, I'll pay you a finder's fee.

-There are precisely three stereotypes which are written about in women's magazines (Cosmo, Essence, etc.): The Brawny Man, the Man-Child, and the Metrosexual/Effeminate Man. Very, very rarely are hard-working, constantly-there fathers who love and support their wives written about. When they are, it's mostly a self-centered piece about how the woman feels like her place has been usurped as the "primary" parent, is jealous of the attention, and may or may not learn from her "self-analysis" at all.

-All-too-often male sexuality is completely ignored, and education among men is extremely poor due to the Brawny Man stereotype.

-In the same vein, because of long-standing assumptions and lengthy histories, despite Feminism's accomplishments, most women don't know how to romance a guy without using sexuality as a crutch. Most won't even ask a guy they like out; which should be the first step in equality.

-Despite having fewer accidents (and from my personal experience, far better driving habits), men pay significantly more for car insurance. (Currently $60/mo - This is at 27y.o., ZERO accidents/arrests/reports on record, a good student discount, an incredibly safe car, driving less than 1k miles per year, and having a 750+ credit score.)

There are other things, but I'm mostly miffed about the emotional complexity double standard exerted by society. Men are not simple, mentally or emotionally. The "I'm/He's just a guy" excuse is one of the biggest cop-outs in history, and I can't believe it's still being propagated.

That, and the fashion thing really gets me, too.

 

[secretsantaone]

Pros:
-Average higher pay
-Physically stronger
-Don't menstruate
-Piss standing up
-Less societal pressure on appearance
-Less likely to be raped
-Generally less emotionally charged
-No pregnancy/childbirth

Cons:
-More likely to be conscripted
-Are expected to make the first move in asking people out
-Expected to pay on a date
-Women have preferential treatment in courts, especially in divorce and child custody cases
-Cannot hit a woman, women can hit you and if you complain you are seen as a pussy
-Traditional societal role eroding due to women becoming more prominent in traditionally male employment, while women's traditional societal role as the child bearer cannot be touched
-Male rape taken much less seriously than female rape, male prison rape is a common joke
-Have to work out in order to be seen as attractive
-Cannot wear make-up to hide physical unattractiveness
-Are judged more harshly on emotional outbursts/violence
-Women and Children take priority in disasters


And pretty relevant soon: Expected to buy gifts on valentines day when women are not


Men are better in a practical sense, but are fucked when it comes to societal pressures.

 

[Nathan Crumpler]

The more women I have sex with the more high fives I get from other men. Although, if I'm not at least visible trying to have sex with women, those same men will think I'm gay.

And another thing:
If you are fat, you get called fat all through your childhood so when you are an adult you are practically immune to fat jokes.

 

[mateushac]

being able to pee while standing

 

[Syzygy23]

I am writing a feature in journalism about being a man, and I wanted to hear people's thoughts. I won't use names, but if you want your name in a small town news paper give me the okay.

When someone asked me if there was anything good about being a man, I was stumped. The only thing that came to mind was the fact that we didn't have to deal with "Aunt Ruby coming to town".

But all joking aside, what are the upsides of being a male

Hmmm...

Pros:
-Short bathroom lines
-Sex feels awesome
-Natural increase to stamina, muscle mass
-Beards
-Better Spatial Cognition (at least in children, haven't found a study of that for adults)
-Moustaches
-No cumbersome boobs to get in the way of physical activity
-Better at driving (Science will vindicate me, so shut up, feminists! We're better drivers and we STILL get shittier insurance rates)

Cons:
-Shorter lifespan (Around 5-7 years on average last I checked, but still)
-Weaker immune system
-Cannot smell emotions (A study was done 5 years ago that discovered that most women, especially pregnant women, can SMELL FEAR. All the male participants completely bombed that test)
-Useless nipples?

That's all I have.

 

[Black Arrow Officer]

More emotionally stable. Women tend to need a large "circle of friends" to support them while men are fine with 1 or 2 buddies. I'm not saying that all men need no emotional support, they just need a lot less. When I'm stressed, I pump out push ups and I feel better enough to continue with my life. When my girlfriend is stressed, she calls her friends, usually breaking down 1 or 2 times.

 

[Krantos]

- men stay physically attractive longer than women

I don't think that's quite true. I think it may be more accurate to say that we don't appear to degrade as quickly. The reason for that is we have a lower baseline.


What I mean is this:

On a scale of 1 to 10 (gauging attractiveness) most women ages 18-35 sit at about 8-10. After that point most dip down between 5-7 until they reach roughly 50 years of age (exact age may vary depending on how gracefully they age). From 50+ they start to lose about a point every 5-10 years.

Most men, on the other hand start at about a 5-6 between 18-35. From there to 50 they drop to 4-5, at which point they degrade at about the same rate as women. What you'll note is that at no point are we ever higher than women, but we don't seem to degrade as much since we started lower to begin with.


(disclaimer: no, I'm not serious.)

 

[Death Carr]

when we lose our virginity its not painful.
also, condering the amount of times the word 'penis' has been used i this thread what exactly is the pluralised from of 'penis' I've always thought that it was 'penii' like 'cacti'

 

[CrazyMedic]

If you're white, Western, middle class or higher, and male; you've basically won the Cosmic Lottery.

To be sure, life can still get you down, and you might still lose the societal ratrace. But, damn, you've got a headstart on most others, boy!

Spinozaad got in with what I wanted to say, and quite concisely. Being male, unfortunately, still carries privilege in modern society.

I have yet to experience any of these ever. Im tired as fuck of people just saying this and not telling me exactly where in my life i get these benefits? Sure im 18 and i might not have had time to enjoy he awesome privalage of being male that apparently exists but ive never once been given anything for being a dude. I didnt get ANY headstart. I dont understand why people say this. I didnt get anything, did you? Who did? Where is ALL this privalage i apprently should be getting. Because im not getting it. I get western and middle class, that makes sense due to money and standard of living. But male? I have yet to witness any privilage. In fact ive paid for so many goddam dates already its hard to see the privilage at all so far.

OT:

We are built stronger and faster and on average have greater spacial awareness. Thats pretty much it.

try getting a job as a zimbowian(someone from Zimbabwe)for the most part unless the company has a diversity quote black people tend to have about 15 to 20% percent harder time finds jobs(or at least that is the way I remember the report could be wrong) it isn't a case of "oh you are a white male have a rolex and a bottle of expensive whiskey" it is oh getting this job depends more on my quality then with a woman or negro.
edit:I buggered up the quotes.

 

[Vault101]

More emotionally stable. Women tend to need a large "circle of friends" to support them while men are fine with 1 or 2 buddies. I'm not saying that all men need no emotional support, they just need a lot less. When I'm stressed, I pump out push ups and I feel better enough to continue with my life. When my girlfriend is stressed, she calls her friends, usually breaking down 1 or 2 times.

hmmmm...I dont know how true that is, and sounds more like somthing from a chick flick

I mean you also have the "close" freind ratio..some freinds are closer than others

I dont have a "circle of freinds"..I deal with being unhappy in different ways..as does everyone else

 

[Vault101]

I am writing a feature in journalism about being a man, and I wanted to hear people's thoughts. I won't use names, but if you want your name in a small town news paper give me the okay.

When someone asked me if there was anything good about being a man, I was stumped. The only thing that came to mind was the fact that we didn't have to deal with "Aunt Ruby coming to town".

But all joking aside, what are the upsides of being a male

Hmmm...

Pros:
-Sex feels awesome
-No cumbersome boobs to get in the way of physical activity
.

Im sorry.....but WHAT? since when do women not enjoy sex?

second point is not an issue for alot of woman as well

 

[moosek]

There are the minor things; biological things related to strength, hormone regulation, weight loss, etc.

But when we turn to society and the numerous gender biases across the board, men have it better... but only if they have any power. To be an average (and I must stress, average) man in my early 20's, I've noticed numerous social imbalances. Men belonging to this group date below the standards that other believe them to have, because single girls are much more desired at this age. We are viewed as disposable, both in our professional lives and in circumstances where sacrifices need to be made.. Women date older men, so girls my age look to generation ahead; while guys my age have to rely on buying a 19 year old beer to achieve the same goal. I realize the stress that society puts on a girl's appearance but at least girls have make-up, pushup bras, salons, etc; guys are basically stuck to our appearance.

I've heard that guys have the social/dating advantage in their 30's, but that advice is coming from people who've had their 20's in the late 90's/early 00's. When Facebook didn't haunt everyone's personal lives.

 

[Grottnikk]

1. We can open all our own jars.

2. We can go to a sci-fi/ren fair/comicon without getting hit on by nerds.

3. We can score points with our friends by doing stupid shit like launching ourselves from trebuchets. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRaXwnnpX2s

 

[BanicRhys]

Men can have sex, and they don't get pregnant. That's all I mean. They're free to walk off and repeat the process, while women, if they get pregnant from a one night stand, well they have to feed and nurture that human being, if they don't abort it.

Men don't have abortions, and all the legal and ethical controversy of that. Just root and leave, if they want to.

Also... guy sleeps with 1000 women, he's a Charlie Sheen... a bloody legend. Chick sleeps with 1000 men, she's a complete whore. Better to be a man, indeed.

They can't just root and leave, getting a woman pregnant might not have any physical effect on the man but they still can't just forget about the child after conceiving it. They'll be forced to pay the woman a decent chunk of their hard earned money until the child grows up or be labeled as a dead beat dad. And as I said, they have no way of aborting the child or aborting their legal responsibility to the child should the condom fail.

Actually now that I think about it, unlike men, women can root and leave, if they conceive a child all they need to do is abort it and the only thing stopping them is their own morals (which, in my opinion, are rather outdated).

Isn't the whole point of Two and a Half Men (other than women always win in divorce) that Charlie's lifestyle is hollow and lonely? I've only ever seen Charlie Sheen being pitied or deplored. The attitude that men who sleep around are legends is just as immature as the 17 year olds who share it.

 

[secretsantaone]

It's a popular statement because some dude who *made* it popular, and single-handedly changed the world... sort of. I know plenty of men who don't think their wives are a ball and chain. The guys who subscribe to that ball and chain quote... well, that's a mysoginistic statement if I ever heard one. It shows immature, impotent hatred, and I don't want to turn into that guy - 40, still single/divorced, and has an obvious commitment problem and/or underlying hatred of females.

You're taking that way too seriously, it's mostly used in a joking way. It simply refers to the more limited lifestyles men lead when they're married due to additional responsibility. And what's wrong with that? Can you honestly say that you'd embrace a more restricted and less free life with no qualms whatsoever?


It doesn't show any sort of hatred. Women are not some sort of demi-gods to be revered 24/7, you can joke with them.

 

[Fieldy409_v1legacy]

Well, we don't need tampons and bras to be able to function.

I reckon that's why men were in charge for most of history, when women started off with such disadvantages like not being able to run without crippling back pain and being rendered a lot less fit for hunting or working once a month.

Plus there's the fact that I don't have to always be worried about the danger of rape whenever I go out or I'm in a house with someone I don't know. I'd hate to live my whole life knowing I'm too weak to defend myself.

I dont think we "need" bras to function, they are just a nice extra

also your second point might have been a bit.....over dramatic, I dont freak out about rape everytime I leave the house or anything

plus "too weak to defend oneself"...weel sure men are stronger so the odds will be stacked in their favour..but it also depends on the induvidual situation

I suppose It was a bit dramatic. But the specter is still there. Im paranoid enough as it is as a man.

Also self defense does depend on the situation, but a lot of violent criminals are good fighters and strong, they have to be to be violent criminals, and regardless of actual ability for victims to defend themselves, the criminals will target those they see as the weakest.

 

[Knusper]

Shorter queues at the toilets. Furthermore, at a formal occasion, we just have to wear a suit and change the tie each time, not choose a new dress each time.

 

[Darkmantle]

Spoiler: Hmm...

The Male Privilege Checklist

1. My odds of being hired for a job, when competing against female applicants, are probably skewed in my favor. The more prestigious the job, the larger the odds are skewed.

2. I can be confident that my co-workers won?t think I got my job because of my sex ? even though that might be true.

3. If I am never promoted, it?s not because of my sex.

4. If I fail in my job or career, I can feel sure this won?t be seen as a black mark against my entire sex?s capabilities.

5. I am far less likely to face sexual harassment at work than my female co-workers are.

6. If I do the same task as a woman, and if the measurement is at all subjective, chances are people will think I did a better job.

7. If I?m a teen or adult, and if I can stay out of prison, my odds of being raped are relatively low.

8. On average, I am taught to fear walking alone after dark in average public spaces much less than my female counterparts are.

9. If I choose not to have children, my masculinity will not be called into question.

10. If I have children but do not provide primary care for them, my masculinity will not be called into question.

11. If I have children and provide primary care for them, I?ll be praised for extraordinary parenting if I?m even marginally competent.

12. If I have children and a career, no one will think I?m selfish for not staying at home.

13. If I seek political office, my relationship with my children, or who I hire to take care of them, will probably not be scrutinized by the press.

14. My elected representatives are mostly people of my own sex. The more prestigious and powerful the elected position, the more this is true.

15. When I ask to see ?the person in charge,? odds are I will face a person of my own sex. The higher-up in the organization the person is, the surer I can be.

16. As a child, chances are I was encouraged to be more active and outgoing than my sisters.

17. As a child, I could choose from an almost infinite variety of children?s media featuring positive, active, non-stereotyped heroes of my own sex. I never had to look for it; male protagonists were (and are) the default.

18. As a child, chances are I got more teacher attention than girls who raised their hands just as often.

19. If my day, week or year is going badly, I need not ask of each negative episode or situation whether or not it has sexist overtones.

20. I can turn on the television or glance at the front page of the newspaper and see people of my own sex widely represented.

21. If I?m careless with my financial affairs it won?t be attributed to my sex.

22. If I?m careless with my driving it won?t be attributed to my sex.

23. I can speak in public to a large group without putting my sex on trial.

24. Even if I sleep with a lot of women, there is no chance that I will be seriously labeled a ?slut,? nor is there any male counterpart to ?slut-bashing.?

25. I do not have to worry about the message my wardrobe sends about my sexual availability.

26. My clothing is typically less expensive and better-constructed than women?s clothing for the same social status. While I have fewer options, my clothes will probably fit better than a woman?s without tailoring.

27. The grooming regimen expected of me is relatively cheap and consumes little time.

28. If I buy a new car, chances are I?ll be offered a better price than a woman buying the same car.

29. If I?m not conventionally attractive, the disadvantages are relatively small and easy to ignore.

30. I can be loud with no fear of being called a shrew. I can be aggressive with no fear of being called a *****.

31. I can ask for legal protection from violence that happens mostly to men without being seen as a selfish special interest, since that kind of violence is called ?crime? and is a general social concern. (Violence that happens mostly to women is usually called ?domestic violence? or ?acquaintance rape,? and is seen as a special interest issue.)

32. I can be confident that the ordinary language of day-to-day existence will always include my sex. ?All men are created equal,? mailman, chairman, freshman, he.

33. My ability to make important decisions and my capability in general will never be questioned depending on what time of the month it is.

34. I will never be expected to change my name upon marriage or questioned if I don?t change my name.

35. The decision to hire me will not be based on assumptions about whether or not I might choose to have a family sometime soon.

36. Every major religion in the world is led primarily by people of my own sex. Even God, in most major religions, is pictured as male.

37. Most major religions argue that I should be the head of my household, while my wife and children should be subservient to me.

38. If I have a wife or live-in girlfriend, chances are we?ll divide up household chores so that she does most of the labor, and in particular the most repetitive and unrewarding tasks.

39. If I have children with my girlfriend or wife, I can expect her to do most of the basic childcare such as changing diapers and feeding.

40. If I have children with my wife or girlfriend, and it turns out that one of us needs to make career sacrifices to raise the kids, chances are we?ll both assume the career sacrificed should be hers.

41. Assuming I am heterosexual, magazines, billboards, television, movies, pornography, and virtually all of media is filled with images of scantily-clad women intended to appeal to me sexually. Such images of men exist, but are rarer.

42. In general, I am under much less pressure to be thin than my female counterparts are. If I am fat, I probably suffer fewer social and economic consequences for being fat than fat women do.

43. If I am heterosexual, it?s incredibly unlikely that I?ll ever be beaten up by a spouse or lover.

44. Complete strangers generally do not walk up to me on the street and tell me to ?smile.?

45. Sexual harassment on the street virtually never happens to me. I do not need to plot my movements through public space in order to avoid being sexually harassed, or to mitigate sexual harassment.

45. On average, I am not interrupted by women as often as women are interrupted by men.

46. I have the privilege of being unaware of my male privilege.

taken from http://www.amptoons.com/blog/the-male-privilege-checklist/

While I agree with the sentiment and indeed many of the points in this list, some of them are just petty, 32 for example, and others are untrue, such as 43, domestic abuse in heterosexual relationships is split almost 50/50 between men and woman. I would say there are a few advantages to being a woman too. like not being expected to pay for everything on a date, and certain laws also favour woman, mostly in the realm of domestic abuse, but I'm sure there's male favouring laws too.

OT: giving birth terrifies me, I'm glad I don't have to go through it. and periods sound... worrying...

EDIT: also http://www.avoiceformen.com/feminism/the-feminist-fantasy-of-male-privilege/

ignoring the obviously inflammatory article they come from, the hard stats are pretty good, it's all areas men fall behind woman, such as suicide rates and workplace injuries, etc. Just a side note.