In most, if not all cultures, men have lifestyles that differ from women, although what this looks like will differ from one culture to another, and may be susceptible to change from one generation to another.
Definitions of what it means to be a man evolve over time and varies across cultures.
In addition, being a man means different things to different people. Some people believe that being a real man means following God with compassion and confidence in who and what they are. Others hold that being a good man means placing the needs of their families ahead of their own desires.
In many societies, being a man means being faithful in all of a man's relationships, and treating their possessions, professional positions, and the environment as if they will eventually hand them down to someone else.
In many cultures in the past, and in some cultures and among some individuals today, being a man meant showing no weaknesses. Men were expected to be stoic, holding their emotions tightly, no matter what was going on, and if unable to do that, the next step might be aggression.
In these cultures, a manly handshake would be firm, and a man would keep his emotions together, except when it came to anger. Otherwise, a public display of emotions was deemed unmanly. Hardness was masculine, while softness was feminine. Men would respond to the exhortation to "be a man" by getting harder, tougher, more competitive, ruthless, and uncaring.
Boys were subjected to demands to "be a man" or to "man up" from an early age. Often well-meaning, this pressure could shame and harden a boy before he even reached adolescence, thus perpetuating a hardened male lifestyle.
Even in cultures today, where men are allowed to show emotions other than anger and aggression, softness is generally associated with femininity. Boys do not strive to be soft; perceived softness is ordinarily viewed as a failing for boys and men.
This is still the case in many cultures today, and in some individuals, but it is not as prevalent as it once was. Men are now allowed to shed tears at certain events, such as funerals.
Although mores have changed over the generations, there are few, if any, cultures in which men's lifestyles are the same as women's lifestyles, and there's probably nothing wrong with that.
What it means to be a man is subjective and varies across cultures and individuals.
Men's issues and topics specific to men are the focus of this portion of our web guide and its subcategories.
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Recommended Resources
The website aims to help men become better men. According to the site, a man who has mastered the art of manliness embodies several manly characteristics, such as being loyal to his friends and family, doing the right thing even when it's inconvenient, being proficient in the manly arts, treating women with honor and respect, and giving back to the community. Several books on this theme are available for purchase, along with other items. Several informational articles are included.
https://www.artofmanliness.com/
Stylized AskMen, the online men's web portal is owned by Ziff Davis Media and operates through IGN Entertainment. Founded in 1999, AskMen was acquired by IGN in 2005. The website offers news reports relevant to men, along with sex tips, dating and relationship advice, and various grooming products. Other information includes fashion advice and trends, health and fitness information, and reviews of men's toys, and tech, travel, and hobby gear. Several skills associated with men are discussed.
https://www.askmen.com/
Created and maintained by Sterling, a gamer, fitness fanatic, and photographer, the website for men covers a variety of topics, such as fitness, fashion and style, cologne, grooming, hobbies, gaming and office gear, and testosterone replacement therapies. Other topics include profiles of successful men throughout history and today, developing study habits, and ways to make money and earn a living through career choices or entrepreneurship. Contacts are provided on the site.
https://chainstogains.com/
Provides entries from the pages of a men's magazine with the same name. This website offers style and fashion updates as well as health and business articles. The website also features book reviews, novel excerpts, video clips, blog posts andother features. The site's women's section features the women the magazine loves, sex advice, funny jokes, photos and interviews of the beautiful faces and bodies that graced the pages of the magazine and other interesting features.
https://www.esquire.com/
Federation of Jewish Men's Clubs
The FJMC is the international umbrella organization for a confederacy of about two hundred men's auxiliaries concentrated in North America, throughout the United States and Canada. Its mission is to involve Jewish men in Jewish life and impact Jewish congregations, Jewish youth, and world Jewry. Its history, goals, leadership, board of directors, volunteer opportunities, and contacts are posted, with an overview of its regions, clubs, awards, publications, and online store.
https://fjmc.org/
The Good Men Project is a blog founded by Tom Matlack in 2009. It publishes stories related to manhood, relationships, sexuality, social justice, and ethics. It also published "The Good Men Project: Real Stories from the Front Lines of Modern Manhood," a collection of thirty-one essays written by a diverse group of contributors, and a film by the same name was produced by Matt Gannon, which features the stories of ten men from varied backgrounds. Premium content is available online.
https://goodmenproject.com/
ManKind Project (MKP) is a global network of non-profit organizations focused on modern male initiation, self-awareness, and personal growth. Currently, there are twelve regions, one of them being the United States, which includes twenty-two areas. The organization is non-religious and inclusive, and its flagship training includes The New Warrior Training Aventure, which is highlighted here, along with its organizational structure, communities, and contacts.
https://mkpusa.org/
Maxim is an international men's magazine. Launched in the United Kingdom in 1995, it has been based in New York City since 1997. Known for its photography of actors, singers, and female models whose careers are at a current peak, its print magazine has a circulation of about 9 million readers each month, while Maxim Digital reaches more than 4 million unique viewers each month. The magazine has sixteen editions, sold in seventy-five countries worldwide. Subscriptions are available online.
https://www.maxim.com/
The American men's lifestyle magazine is focused on outdoor recreation. It includes editorials on the outdoors, environmental issues, health and fitness, style and fashion, and gear, with each issue divided into three subsections: Notebook, Blueprint, and Gear Lab. Founded in 1992, the publication was acquired by the Arena Group in 2022. Men's Journal special offers, podcasts, and interviews are available in several locations; links are provided. Contacts are provided.
https://www.mensjournal.com/
Founded by Sean Galla, an experienced men's group facilitator, community building, serial entrepreneur, and former hockey player and pro DJ. Missing the locker-room-type conversations where guys talked about stuff that was really going on in their lives, he formed the organization for men who are interested in personal development and discussing these topics with others. Groups are available on Zoom, through its discussion forum, and via events. Reviews and contacts are posted.
https://mensgroup.com/
Formed in 1990, Promise Keepers is an international evangelical Christian organization for men whose goal is to bring about revival by calling men back to courageous, bold leadership. The non-profit organization is not affiliated with any church or denomination. The organization places emphasis on godly manhood and fatherhood and tends to be conservative. Its leadership is introduced, upcoming events are announced, and various resources are available.
https://promisekeepers.org/
Created to form a community for bald men, balding men, and those who are bald by choice. The website includes an online discussion forum powered by Simple Machines that includes a new member section, a members-only help board, a promotional section, and a subject category for head shaving, grooming, and care, along with discussions about being bald, confidence and success, and various non-bald discussions. Registration is required for participation in the forum.
https://www.slybaldguys.com/
