Manliness

1 Kings 2:1,2 I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;

Manliness is shown by strength, emotional strength, as opposed to grace or charm.

1. Our culture is confused, various supposed “gender identities,” sexual orientations, body-building, kick-boxing women, and pretend breast-feeding baby-bonding men, etc.

2. Bible-believing manliness is not against women. Bible is best friend women as a gender ever had. But we should seek maximum opportunity, not some ill-conceived objective of supposed equality.

3. Manliness is sorely needed. David was the hero that returned manliness to Israel

David speaking: certainly appropriate to speak, a real champion, changed Israel

1 Samuel 17:10 And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. 11 When Saul and all Israel heard those words of the Philistine, they were dismayed, and greatly afraid.

2Samuel 23:8 These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. (1Chronicles 11:11 also)

Solomon’s case: young and tender, but not foolish nor ignorant. Solomon was much younger than Adonijah, but did have a son already.

1Kings 3:7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.

1Chr. 22:5 And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender,

1Kings 11:42 And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

1Kings 14:21 And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty and one years old when he began to reign,

1 Kings 2:9 Now therefore hold him not guiltless: for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him; but his hoar head bring thou down to the grave with blood.

2Chr. 13:7 …have strengthened themselves against Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and tenderhearted, and could not withstand them.

Manliness required: David knew what was needed. Our generation needs men also.

1. Manliness exists – gender roles based in DNA, Culture, God’s design

2. Manliness – what it is not – not the opposite of womanliness, not prolonged adolescence, etc.

3. Manliness – what it is – defined historically, changed in our generation

4. Manliness recognized and defined in the Bible

1. Manliness exists – Gender Roles in DNA, Culture, and God’s design

Manliness is the ideal, the character to be aspired to and pursued by men, reflecting a greater responsibility assigned to men as compared to women, including the responsibility to protect, provide and lead. This indicates that men deserve a place of eminence in home, church and society just because they are men. This is not to say men deserve authoritarian power over women, nor absolute control over their lives, but a distinguishing respect, reflecting their greater obligations, based on reality, not on force. So attributes exist that are more appropriate for men than women (and vice-versa). This is a relative comparison. All of these positive attitudes are important in all of us, but the differences between men and women cause us to differentiate their relative appropriateness, so that some attributes are specially encouraged and admired in men, while others are specially encouraged and admired in women. This differentiation is seen in nature (genetics), society (culture) and the Bible.

DNA – gender roles based on obvious physical differences

Differentiation of gender roles is not just incidental or curious. Survival and flourishing of our biological species depends upon different roles for men and women. Humans are distinct from all animals in their capacity for reason (among many other things), so human children require an extensive maturing process to allow their reason to develop, including lingual, analytical and social skills, as well as moral and ethical self-control. This necessary development requires years of devoted care. The division of gender roles allows this. Women bear children and nurse them for years (something men cannot do for genetic reasons), while men are free to provide sustenance and defense. Many other distinctions in our roles can be traced back to this obvious survival and reproductive strategy.

A modern objection is that this is not “fair.” But it isn’t about being fair, it is about being functional. It works. Rejecting the idea of roles because it isn’t fair is unreasonable, and unscientific, since fairness is impossible anyway, and this is clearly the way nature works. It makes perfect sense, from a natural standpoint, for men to be bigger, stronger, more aggressive, more competitive, and free from child-nurturing and home-guiding duties, as irritating as that is to modern feminists. Radical feminists who want to eliminate gender roles are fighting their own DNA.

Culture – gender roles based on natural cultural development

All cultures in the world and in history have distinguished between the societal roles of men and women. Variations exist but clear differentiation has always existed. This proves that gender roles are not an imposition of opportunistic men, but a rational outworking of natural differences. This universal differentiation, including forms of dress, traditional functions and opportunities in society, deserves respect as heritage and legacy. While some adjustments must be made to take into consideration the increased freedom and opportunity provided by the industrial revolution and modern democracy, the attempt to eliminate traditional roles entirely is wrong inherently (Proverbs 22:28 Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.), and it is self-destructive functionally. Men and women are better at different things.

Women are better mothers, care-givers, comforters, listeners, multi-taskers, etc. Girls have greater linguistic abilities, larger vocabularies.

Men are better fathers, soldiers, firemen, coaches, leaders, etc. Boys have greater visualization skills, such as the ability to visualize the shape of an object without turning it completely around.

http://www.education.com/reference/article/similarities-differences-boys-girls/

Each can do the work of the other adequately, but not usually as well, and not necessarily appropriately. A single dad can do the work of a mother or a nurse or psychiatrist, but not as well as an average woman. An average woman can coach or lead or fight, but not as well as an average man (Judges 4:4-9 Deborah and Barak). Feminists who disagree with this assessment have an agenda that does not prioritize the health and well-being of families, children, society or the species as a whole.

Elimination of, or even the attempt to diminish, cultural gender roles hinders the masculine psychology of domain achievement, and disenfranchises men from any distinguishing respect associated with masculinity, something radical feminists consider a good thing, because “male privilege” isn’t fair. But domain achievement and respect of masculinity are part of adolescent development in males, because it includes a physical differentiation of men from both childhood and femininity, something necessary to men’s psychological health. This is related to the changes that happen in boys after puberty:

1. Boys keep growing physically for years, while girls stop growing physically. This results in physical bulk and height in men, leaving them generally unintimidated by women, and women understandably intimidated by men. Physical size universally affects relationships conferring social advantage.

2. Boys develop upper-body muscle and heavier bones, while girls develop breasts, wider hips and other cosmetic changes, such as a rounder face and reddening and thickening of the lips. This makes young men athletically dominant, and encourages young women to focus on aesthetics.

3. Boys develop facial hair, while girls keep the facial appearance of youth. This gives men a prominent distinguishing mark of eminence. While feminism derides the thought of eminence in appearance, the natural fact of it produces psychological effects in young men.

4. Boys develop a deeper voice, while girls keep the softer voice of youth. This doesn’t confer authority by itself, but it gives young men a self-perception of authority. Psychologically this self-perception drives young men to earn authority.

5. Boys develop a possessive sexual drive, while girls develop a passive sexual desire. Young men are motivated by an inherent motivation to establish a personal “domain,” while young women are motivated by an inherent desire to be accepted, appreciated and admired. Young men’s objective is to “take” and possess, while young women’s objective is to “give” and belong. Young men who turn the natural desire to possess into the unethical desire to dominate (what one does not possess rightfully) confuse their own sexuality and become “sexual predators.” While we condemn this correctly, and teach young men to control themselves, we must not condemn the male sexual drive itself , which is healthy and wholesome, nor pretend there is no difference between the attitudes of the sexes toward sex.

http://www.learn2trainsafely.com/DifferencesBetweenTeenFemaleandMaleAthletes.html

http://www.csulb.edu/~kmacd/361SEX.html

http://www.benthamscience.com/open/tofamsj/articles/V002/66TOFAMSJ.pdf

These differences in natural development establish a sense of identity in young men as “men” distinguished from women and children. Young men naturally repudiate and then resist the appearance of boyishness and femininity. That is, the natural maturing process in adolescent males creates a perception of ascendancy over both boyhood and femininity, which becomes a natural psychological drive to “overcome” both. This is not wrong or “unfair”, but causes young men to compete, to excel, to earn respect, to achieve a personal “domain” and thereby establish their own “manhood.” This natural drive in adolescent males is necessary for male psychological health. Psychological reconditioning attempting to change the nature of these gender roles (providing fire engines for kindergarten girls and unicorns for boys) is unnatural, unreasonable, possibly harmful and mostly unsuccessful.

Disgusted by homosexuality

https://etda.libraries.psu.edu/paper/8857/4156

It is well known among psychologists, and practically undisputed, that men are disgusted by male homosexuality, even among men who “accept” it socially, politically and morally. This is universal, spanning all cultures. Studies trying to understand and explain this phenomenon recognize that what is usually described as “homophobia” is not a fear reaction at all, but a disgust reaction. Disgust is a natural emotion in people dividable into two types, pure disgust and moral disgust. Pure disgust has to do with the physical senses, causing us to automatically react negatively to what we perceive to be a physical contaminant, such as the smell of feces or something rotten, or the sticky feel of a wound, etc. Moral disgust has to do with the rational senses, when we have a similar reaction to something perceived to be a social contaminant. Male homosexuality causes both kinds of disgust in men (but not equally in women, while female homosexuality causes much less disgust in both). The pure disgust is probably caused by the nature of male homosexual acts, which accounts for the difference in disgust levels against male and female homosexuality. The moral disgust primarily in men is probably caused by the cultural development of masculinity. That is, the process of male maturing requires adolescent males overcome their own perceived youth and femininity, and this internal struggle causes a disgust reaction against male homosexuality because of the implication of failure (to become men). It is probably more complex than that however.

Bible – Gender roles based on Biblical principles.

Distinction between sexes is important to God and integral to God’s design

Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Genesis 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

2 Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created.

Genesis 3:16 Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

1Cor 11:7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

8 For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.

9 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

10 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

12 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

13 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

1Peter 3:1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives;

2 While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear.

3 Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;

4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

5 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands:

6 Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

7 Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

1Timothy 2:12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.

Deu. 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.

The apparel of men and women are distinguished in almost all cultures, so apparently it is important. While differences between cultures exist, the distinction between apparel current to a society is important to God. What is considered men’s attire should not be worn by women, and what is considered women’s attire should not be worn by men. However, society norms change over time, especially owing to changes in circumstances. The industrial revolution changed society’s clothes enormously, and the change from industry to technology and now to information also changes a culture. So some consolidation of attire may be normal. Many articles of clothing are universal or “unisex,” (pants are made specifically for women in our day and are much more practical than skirts, given the fast pace of modern society and the need to drive and sit at a desk, etc.). But even today some attire and fashion is gender specific (such as dresses and suits, jewelry, purses and shoes), and care should be taken not to confuse the distinction of gender in appearance.

Leadership of men.

Judges 9:54 Then he called hastily unto the young man his armourbearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died.

Isaiah 3:12 As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them.

Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.

5 And she dwelt under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgment.

6 And she sent and called Barak the son of Abinoam out of Kedeshnaphtali, and said unto him, Hath not the LORD God of Israel commanded, saying, Go and draw toward mount Tabor, and take with thee ten thousand men of the children of Naphtali and of the children of Zebulun?

7 And I will draw unto thee to the river Kishon Sisera, the captain of Jabin's army, with his chariots and his multitude; and I will deliver him into thine hand.

8 And Barak said unto her, If thou wilt go with me, then I will go: but if thou wilt not go with me, then I will not go.

9 And she said, I will surely go with thee: notwithstanding the journey that thou takest shall not be for thine honour; for the LORD shall sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose, and went with Barak to Kedesh.

While it is true that there have been many strong women in history, it should be pointed out that Deborah herself appears disappointed in Barak, who does not have the fortitude to lead, and her rebuke includes the warning of specific dishonor to Barak because of that, in that Sisera would fall by the hand of a woman. So Deborah inadvertently endorses the concept of manliness. Barak was expected to have leadership qualities appropriate to a man, and it was unusual for a woman to achieve that distinction.

The common belittling of the concept of manliness in our day is not found in the Bible. In the Bible, men are given a place of honor not given to women, for no other visible reason than their maleness, and nowhere is this distinction criticized or corrected. Furthermore, exemplary behavior of men, the ideal of manliness, is referred to and even commanded in the Bible.

False concept of Equality: As a principle of law, good, but as a personal objective, bad. That is, the law can treat all men equal, but cannot make all men equal. Remember the point of Orwell’s Animal Farm “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”

Declaration of independence states “all men are created equal,” by which is meant a “civil equality,” no noble class, no lords nor commons, no divine right of kings, no special class of voters, as landed gentlemen. The women’s suffrage movement and the abolitionist movement championed equality under the law, that is, that the rights and freedoms conferred by law should be equally enjoyed by all regardless of race or gender. This culminated in emancipation, women’s suffrage and the civil rights act of 1964. But the concept of equality changed from focus on equality under the law, to equality as an objective of law, including equality of opportunity, income and lately even “respect,” (as in the GLBT agenda). Advocates wanted laws intended to produce equality in society. Even if this as a goal were good (which it certainly isn’t always) laws enforced to produce equality have unintended consequences:

1. Abolishes personal freedoms, of association, of religious convictions, etc.

2. Causes so-called “reverse” discrimination, which in turn produces strife unrelated to the original.

Feminists of the 60s championed

1. The “sexual revolution” – because women were just “sex objects of men.”

2. Abortion – for true economic freedom for women required abortion on demand.

3. Equal pay for equal work – regardless of the inequalities inherent in the gender (women tended to get married and have babies.)

All of this had the unintended (or maybe intended) consequence of a popular denigration of men, which changed the popular meaning of manliness. Rather than seek “equality”, Christian women, and men, should seek “justice”, “righteousness,” and maximum personal opportunity for every soul. It should be possible to emancipate all the slaves, and empower all classes and genders without trampling on the principles found in nature and in the Bible governing the order of the home and society in general.

2. Manliness – what it is not:

not the opposite of womanliness,

not prolonged adolescence,

not machismo, (dominance over women)

not appearance,

not narcissism, (focus on oneself)

not typical masculine behavior

Manliness is not automatic – must be pursued

Shew thyself: Objective to be pursued. A man must be proven a man. Others see and respect manliness.

Men are not automatically manly. The counsel is for Solomon to be emotionally strong, or mature and decisive, like men ought, to be able to “withstand” pressure exerted by other men. Notice Solomon is already considered a “wise man” (v. 9), so the fear is not that he will be foolish or inexperienced. The fear is that he will be emotionally fragile as one might expect a boy or a woman to be. So the phrase “shew thyself a man” means to recognize the ideal behavior in men and behave like men should. A man must prove himself worthy of a place among men by being emotionally strong, decisive, and not easily moved, among other things.

The concept described is manliness, not supermanliness. The advice was not “shew thyself more than a man,” a supernatural or extraordinary man, but a natural, albeit exemplary man.

Manliness then, is the quality appropriate to men, expected in men, aspired to by men, achieved by admirable men, and intended by God in his design for men as differentiated from women.

3. Manliness – what it is:

Definitions: Manly or Manliness

With courage like a man. Johnson 1755

Manlike; becoming a man; firm; brave; undaunted. “Serene and manly, hardened to sustain the load of life.” Dignified; noble; stately. Noah Webster 1828

Having qualities becoming to a man; not childish or womanish; manlike, esp. brave, courageous, resolute, noble. Webster’s 1913

Possessing virtues proper to a man as distinguished from a woman or child; chiefly courageous, independent in spirit, frank, upright. Oxford English Dictionary 1933

[Notice the slight adjustment in the definitions after 1950]

Having the qualities generally regarded as those that a man should have; virile; strong, brave, resolute, honorable, etc. Websters New World 1953

Having or denoting those good qualities traditionally associated with men, such as courage and strength. New Oxford Dictionary of English 1998

Possessing qualities, such as vigour or courage, generally regarded as appropriate to or typical of a man. World English Dictionary 2009

Having qualities traditionally ascribed to men, as strength or bravery. … Having the traits or qualities that a culture regards as especially characteristic of or ideally appropriate to adult men. Manly is usually a term of approval, suggesting traits admired by society, such as determination, decisiveness, and steadiness: Random House Dictionary 2013

Summary definition before 1950: Virtues ideal in men.

Summary definition after 1950: Virtues ideally associated with men by their culture.

By Implication: The idealization of the relative strengths of men as compared to animals, children and women.

Other definitions:

Douglas Wilson in his book Father Hunger – “True masculinity is the humble, glad assumption of God given responsibility.”

Synonyms in dictionary definitions:

Courage, bravery, (nerve, mettle, pluck)

strength (hardness, endurance), steadiness (stability),

dignity, honor, stateliness (glory, self-awareness, self-confidence), nobility (superiority),

uprightness (decency, gallantry - protectiveness),

resolve, determination, decisiveness

independence,

frankness,

responsibility (willingness to lead, reliability, dutifulness, faithfulness),

maturity,

Adjectives in literary context:

hard-working

serious, sober, temperate

forceful, vigorous, spirited, competitive, pugnacious (inclined to fight),

self-reliant, self-confident, self-esteeming, self-controlled, self-sacrificing,

firm, tough, dogged, hardened, stout, hardy,

calm, dispassionate (unemotional, stoic), steadfast, dauntless,

virile (vigorous, capable of reproduction),

Negatives in modern language:

stubborn, rash, careless, angry, aggressive,

blustering, brash, macho, silly, childish, brutish, stupid, superficial

Contrasting Attributes:

Attributes of masculinity compared to femininity are not opposites, nor mutually exclusive, nor even “counterparts,” but relative and complementary. We all need all of these attributes, but they can be assigned as relatively masculine or feminine by comparison.

4. Manliness recognized and defined in the Bible

Biblical references to manliness

1Sam. 4:9 Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight.

2Sam. 10:12 Be of good courage, and let us play the men for our people, and for the cities of our God: and the LORD do that which seemeth him good.

1Chr. 19:13 Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.

1Cor. 16:13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Job 38:3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Job 40:7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

Proverbs 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

Jeremiah 1:17 Thou therefore gird up thy loins, and arise, and speak unto them all that I command thee: be not dismayed at their faces, lest I confound thee before them.

Luke 12:35 Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning;

1Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

Associations in Bible context:

strong, firmness, endurance,

not servants, independence, dignity

fight, competitive, forceful

courage, bravery

stand fast, constancy, resolve, determination

loins girded work ethic, sober

Courage,

willingness to fight, competitive, forceful

Strength,

emotional stability, firmness, determination, faithfulness

not easily despairing

not easily discouraged

not easily angered

not showing stress (never let’em see you sweat)

not easily persuaded

not easily moved

Independence,

self-reliance,

provider,

hard-worker

1 Tim. 5:8 But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Other Scriptures:

1 Tim. 2:12 Spiritual leadership

Eph. 5: 22-23 Spiritual leadership

2 Tim 2:15 Workman, zeal for profitability

John 15:13 Sacrificial: a man lay down his life for his friends

1 Peter 3:7 Sacrificial: honor to the weaker vessel

Eph. 5:25, 28 Protector, seeking her best interests

Col. 3:19 Protector, seeking her best interests

Eph. 6:4 Protector, not provoking his children to anger

1 Tim. 5:8 Provider, for his own

1Cor. 13:11 Mature

1Cor. 14:20 Wise

Quotes: notice the change in attitude toward manliness

1569 Stephan was full of grace and manlyness. Golding referring to Acts 6.8 [power], Heminges Post respect

1617 The Germans’ speech is said to be manly, the Frenchmans’ sweet and fluent. respect

1632 Our Souldiers… stood manly to it, with their bowes and arrows. respect

1656 The manlier any man is, the milder and more merciful, as David… John Trapp, commentary on Rom 12:17

1673 A person … should value the innocence and manlinesse of a country [life]. respect

1681 The Metal and Manfulness of these men. Knox respect

1770 Whilst her fond husband strove to lend relief in all the silent manliness of grief. Stoic - respect

1800 It is more manly to confess than to extenuate. Frank - respect

1818 Scully, a good, honest, manly-minded fellow. respect

1833 It took all my manfulness from me to see you so near the edge of the cliff. Courage - respect

1854 I need not attempt to prove to you, young gentlemen, that the weakness of childhood or feminine delicacy is not becoming in one who has reached the stature and bulk of a man. Formation of Manly Character, George Peck, Strength, roughness - respect

1854 Iron is a manly metal, with no sordid associations like gold or silver. Lowell, Fireside Travels Functional- respect

1858 Sir Samuel, as good a type of manfulness and power in speech and action as one would ever wish to see. Strength - respect

1879 The manful good sense which seems naturally to accompany a manly tenderness of nature. mature, firm - respect

1927 MANLY! You won't be regarded as a real man if you are a slouching, nervous, fidgeting grouch — slinking along, afraid of your shadow, timid in company; Popular Mechanics respect

1932 The Sea Scout manual describes a program for courageous, brave, manly young men who wish to learn of the phases of the water and seas by doing things on the water and seas. respect

1936 This is a splendid manly attitude that we wish would be adopted by several other engineers, and an attitude that we all greatly appreciate. respect

1938 Bill's incipient manhood yearns for manly precept. "Women are all right in their way, but heck!" The name "sissy" is a mortal insult. respect

1939 A good boxer gets a lot of manly qualities developed, regulated, trained and expressed; respect

1952 Manly Elegance, a most distinguished design. describing a watch for sale superficial

1952 Single and double breasted lounge and manly models by America's top name summer suit specialist. describing a suit superficial

1952 Manly look, neat and smart... Handy as a cigarette and more satisfying... The perfect mild smoke for me. superficial

1958 Your friends, too, will prefer this "manly" mustard, made from an old Dijon, France recipe. superficial

1966 We know you're cutting yourself a slice of what's on the other side of that manly photo. photo of a silly looking man. sarcasm

1968 The new manly way to wear your hair — and Duke Natural, the way to groom it. superficial

1970 Because it's made for men. Easy Comb for no-tangle combing. Hair Sheen for conditioning and manly luster. superficial

1962 Louis and Mrs. LeCrone are amazed (???) at the manly power displayed by our frequent contributor, photographer Jack Mercer. photo of man pretending strength. sarcasm

1962 Nor can he relieve the tensions and frustrations of his job with a fit of weeping, as a woman might do; he has to be manly outside the home if not in it. article on modern marriage condescending

1967 EVERY. MOTHERS'. SON. is. stalwart,. manly,. and. can. out-drink. the. toughest. guy. on. the. block.. Advertising Milk sarcasm

1967 The crepes shops you find at most ski stations do a land office business, and apres-ski places begin to fill up for coffee, perhaps a drink, girlish gossip, manly lies, flirtations, go-go dancing. negative

1969 This is a really special place, a haven for sportsmen, what with the manly steaks, the Leroy Neiman paintings on the wall and the clubby sports talk that joins table to table. superficial, condescending

1969 She had only been ... a convenient and manly excuse for getting out of that shop without having to give an aging fairy specific reasons why I would not have a Scotch with him." Perhaps the American male, in his terror, has come to view woman as nothing more than an object through which he might escape facing himself and other men. Black World Sarcasm

1970 He probably is practicing the manly art of wife-ignoring. Rotarian sarcasm

1970 Similarly, frustrated men may beat their wives and children in order to feel "manly." sarcasm, condescending

1970 The manly crew of sadists, hypochondriacs, fetishists and cripples down at Homicide discover that he's a Jew, spoiling his last hope of having somewhere to feel virile and at home. sarcasm

1975 The neomacho male is strong enough to reveal his vulnerabilities, confident enough to be sensitive, successful enough to be proud of his mate's career, virile enough to wash dishes, fearless enough to take care of the children, manly enough to say no gently when a beautiful woman propositions him… Article on the new macho condescending

1976 On a different subject, there seems to be some kind of manly or macho attitude associated to the martial arts, most have that feeling anyway. macho

1981 Nowadays the season doesn't really heat up until Christmas, and by that time I'm busy trying to fake a manly American interest in hockey... December 19, 1981 - By Russell Baker macho

1986 a culture that esteems the manly control of small balls above almost all else. sarcasm

1989 We learned all this manly beer lore as we participated in what the Oldenberg Brewery called a media brew-off … macho

1990 perhaps I'm revealing more about myself than I know, like the guy at the party who blurts out after his third manly bourbon,… macho

2003 …the WASP prep schools were built to take the sons of privilege and toughen them into paragons of manly virtue. September 13, 2003 sarcasm

2003 [Pakistan] is a world defined in large measure by avenging the blood of a relative (al- tha'r); demonstrating one's manly courage in battle ... October 28, 2003 condescension

2004 reporters joked that it must be the nominee, once more proving what a manly man he is in yet another extreme sport, July 29, 2004 superficial, silly

2007 That would REALLY be good news for the Republicans — them being so tough and manly on national defense and all. — Peter Principle. November 27, 2007 - PAUL KRUGMAN sarcasm, brutish

2010 Evangelical churches have done a lot to show how manly men can still be nurturing. Feb 16, 2010 superficial

2011 To allow [their] policies … to triumph would be the same as abandoning one’s manly duties to keep women and children safe. April 4, 2011, Nina Silber sarcasm, self-aggrandizing

2011 the fair, Romney — whose net worth is between $190 million and $250 million — once again went manly by flipping a pork chop on a grill ... August 13, 2011 - By MAUREEN DOWD sarcasm, superficial

2011 "purging the rottenness" appeals to our manly American self-image, so we purge. September 26, 2011 - By PAUL KRUGMAN superficial, self-deceived

2011 In the United States, we often see our political leaders hunting, particularly bird- hunting, which seems to demonstrate their manly fortitude. Oct 30, 2011 Kelly Oliver sarcasm, pretentious

2011 I suspect I saw this as a feminine ambition — not what manly men would ever aspire to. Nov 23, 2011 David Brooks self-deprecating, pretentious

2012 During the cold war, nuclear foes used underground blasts to try to intimidate one another — and perhaps to feel more manly. May 5, 2012, Sunday Review sarcasm, superficial, self-deceived

2013 seems many "small" men feel big and manly in their "tanks" and, to them, it's their god-given right, part of being an American to drive their big tanks. March 28, 2013 sarcasm, superficial, self-deceived

Objections

One objection is that the cultural gender roles in the Bible should not apply to us since oriental culture is not necessarily endorsed by God just because he revealed himself to them. Consider polygamy, slavery, dietary laws, inheritance laws, etc. This is true. But manliness is not dependent upon orientalism.

Another objection by modern women (and many modern males) is that there is nothing inherently superior in men to make them more qualified as leaders, and that the perception of men as leaders is culturally imposed. In this view the advice offered here is simply for a young man to be mature, not necessarily “manly.” If that culture had allowed women to compete for leadership positions and it had been a young woman instead of Solomon, a similar encouragement would have been offered to her, not to be manly, but to be mature, as in “shew thyself a woman," a mature woman, a strong woman.

It is true that the point is the youth of Solomon, not his gender. But maturity in boys differentiates them from both youth and femininity. The differentiation itself tends to aim men at leadership.

Another objection is that there have been many instances in history of women showing remarkable leadership, and even in the Bible (Judges 4:4). This is true. But even in these instances the fact of it is shameful to men, even in God’s eyes (Isaiah 3:12).

Another objection against the concept of manliness is it is a self-delusion, supposing inherent superiority in maleness that results in excluding women from opportunities. In the past women have been excluded from opportunities based on “tradition” or simple bias in favor of men. This exclusion kept women from voting, from higher education, from public office, etc. Very exceptional women broke through these barriers, but common women were discouraged or even prohibited from seeking such opportunities.

But the Bible does not prohibit women from voting, from education or public service. The Bible even encourages women to avoid marriage for the express purpose of being free for public service, or service to the Lord.

1 Cor. 7:34 There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

The Bible indicates a willingness to adjust societal rules to grant women what traditionally only men could have, such as an inheritance:

Numbers 27:1-8 And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter.

Holding women back is not necessary for manliness to be recognized and encouraged. The focus should be on maximizing potential for both genders, and for each individual, without trashing gender roles or ignoring reality.