What's more manly?

[Kenbo Slice]

Does it take a true man to express his feelings? Or does a true man keep it inside?

Personally I think it's more manly to express how you feel. I'm a guy, I like expressing how I feel. I think holding it all in is way less manly.

 

[Erana]

Bottling up emotions is not a healthy practice. To me, a "Real man" would be able to deal with his feelings in a rational manner.

 

[Jordi]

I definitely don't think that expressing your feelings is manly. I mean, by what possible definition of manliness could you argue that expressing your feelings is manly? Because you're a guy and you do it? Well, if there's one other guy who doesn't, then there goes your argument. Do you think it takes more courage or a lack of interest in what others think about you? Fine. But then that also applies to a guy wanting to dress up like a drag queen.

I'm not saying that expressing your feelings isn't the right thing to do, but that doesn't make it manly to me. I'm less sure about whether I actually think it is "unmanly" or just not related to the concept of manliness at all.

 

[Appleshampoo]

The answer to any man related question can be answered with the following question -

'What would Duke do?'

 

[HandfulofWolf]

A real man expresses himself how he sees fit. He doesn't care if others see him as manly or not.

 

[FamoFunk]

I don't get it, why is it "manly" to hold them in or let them out, pending how you feel about it. I do not understand Men and this Manly status.

It's normal to express your feelings, if not, have fun building them up inside you until you crack or can't handle anymore.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

It's manly to know when each is appropriate and do so in those situations.
In a heated debate about something you're passionate about, bottle 'em up and stay logical in your argument. At a funeral, just go with your emotions and let it out.

 

[Flailing Escapist]

A real man drinks his feelings under the table!

 

[IzisviAziria]

Had a masculinity thread earlier today too. And yesterday some thread about drinking beer, based on masculinity. I guess internet geekdom is a pretty insecure place.

At any rate, there's no one way about it. Sometimes it's necessary for a man to hold his immediate feelings in. For example, I was in a car accident a couple months ago, a fairly serious one. I wasn't hurt, but the other driver was and it was important that I took care of her, called 9-1-1, spoke with officials on-scene, and did so in a reasonable manner. If I were to wear my emotion on my sleeve, I would have spent that entire scenario in a nervous wreck, crying and shaking. But I was cool, calm, and took care of business.

I had my nervous breakdown later, when things had calmed down and it was reasonable for me to do so. Note, that I DID actually have that breakdown. Emotion can get to me, emotion gets to anyone. IMO, being a man is knowing when it's okay and when it's not okay to let that emotion get the better of you. Sometimes, as a human being, you NEED to break down and cry. But doing it when somebody may need you to be strong for them is not okay.

 

[putowtin]

what's more manly?

The guy from the old spice ad! (joke)

but really, men who don't emote are either
1: an idiot
2: lying
3: both

 

[bladecuttersedge]

It's manly to know when each is appropriate and do so in those situations.

I find myself in total agreement with this statement.

 

[SckizoBoy]

Does it take a true man to express his feelings? Or does a true man keep it inside?

Personally I think it's more manly to express how you feel. I'm a guy, I like expressing how I feel. I think holding it all in is way less manly.

One would've thought that a cross between of the two was manliest. Calm and controlled, but able to express himself when necessary (regardless of context).

It's manly to know when each is appropriate and do so in those situations.
In a heated debate about something you're passionate about, bottle 'em up and stay logical in your argument. At a funeral, just go with your emotions and let it out.

So basically, what this guy said.

 

[FuktLogik]

To me, a "Real man" would be able to deal with his feelings in a rational manner.

This.

Also known as the "Not flipping out and turning hysterical like most women do" approach.

 

[IzisviAziria]

To me, a "Real man" would be able to deal with his feelings in a rational manner.

This.

Also known as the "Not flipping out and turning hysterical like most women do" approach.

That's a pretty sexist statement.

 

[Deadyawn]

Chuch Norris does not express emotions.

 

[Shymer]

Does it take a true man to express his feelings? Or does a true man keep it inside?

Masculinity is a complicated concept coloured by history and culture. What you mean by "true man" is subjective. Belief in the denial/suppression of (strong) emotions has been an aspect of Western (male) philosophy since Greek Cynicism and, to a lesser extent, Stoicism. The need to display other masucline traits such as self-reliance and bravery may also necessitate subordination of emotional displays.

In my cultural experience it has become the norm to portray suppression of strong emotion as unhealthy for men or women. This is grounded in research into mental health - even the early stoics understood how one could not entirely suppress passions.

How one chooses to display/express strong emotions is as much a characteristic of masculinity as the choice to express it at all. One could choose to express rage, for example, by striking at the target of that rage. Would that make you a "true man"?