to not know what is the definition of a man?

[Elendon]

I simply cannot define a man unless I bring biology into it.

Can anyone tell me what the definition of a man is?

A man has a penis.

HRH not I do not think so.
I think in most cultures a female was automatically considered a woman the time she became fertile, but for males often had to go through rites de passage or earn their own living to be considered a man (=marriageable, have the social role of a man).

So are you saying that a transman is not a man then? HRHRoyalGala

Confused so what would an adult male human who hadn’t been through those rites be considered? Not a woman?

Not really fightSpam I was just interested in what people generally thought a man was, without using biology. Seems to be a tough question to answer, and yes of course trans will come into it. But isn't trans generally negated now anyway?

Yes OP to me, a transman isn’t a man. A transman is someone born female with xx chromosomes who presents as a man. A transman is a transman.

Men have two basic things, XY chromosomes and a penis.

It's not a trans thread. It's a basic fact.

Something to do with putting up shelves, seeing to the bins, and when asked what we are thinking making something up.
Covers most of it.

I would use biology to define between women and men. As previous posters have said, it doesn’t come down to hair, skin products, jobs, social rituals etc in my eyes.

I think most people blindfolded would be able to tell a biological man and woman apart by smell alone. Hormones and pheromones play a big part, and we’re not always consciously aware of them.

It has been defined what a male is, but a man is not a male
See dictionary definition below, confused that’s exactly what it means.
Unless you’re using it in a “you’re a real man now!” way which could involve completing some heroic feat or (more likely) shagging someone. But before you became a man you’d be a boy, not a woman or some gender neutral person.

MrPan

By your definition, I'm a man! [grins] Can I get a pay rise?

HRH. I have been100 Years ago those who did not serve in the military where considered boys in my subculture in my country, no matter how old they were and typically did not marry. It is not the case anymore, but I have been told there have been similar cultural norms in other countries.
And I have been told that among some cultures such as Native American tribes those who did not pass a test of living on their own in the wilderness but came back after a short time where considered females, had to do women’s work and where not allowed to marry.

where considered females, had to do women’s work

Obviously those men were confined to the dustbin of society - women!

Upstartcrow - that was brilliant. Thank you.

A human with at least one Y chromosome (as some men have yy not xy)

Man - an adult who doesn’t wear dresses or heels and has no need for make-up, nail varnish and straighteners....Apparently! 🙄

Fucking Hell! I’ve just realised I’m a man! Yay! Now the world can revolve around me 🌎

Confused in those cultures, women, girls and boys were deemed lesser than men. I don’t think they were considered truly to be boys or women, but not-men who were thought incapable of manly tasks or respect. As you say, they didn’t marry. They didn’t become fertile marriageable women by virtue of failing set tasks, just didn’t pass the societal standards for manhood.

I think biology is the only true way to determine sex.

lolElendon. I am a woman and pretty proud of it. I am not very familiar with Native American culture but guess the valued thoughness and manliness and saw it like you describe. I do not agree with them. Just to make this clear ;)

If the failure Native American men were considered females, why weren’t they allowed to marry? A man wouldn’t have wanted one... because they weren’t females at all were they, just weak men.

Eledon put it much more succinctly

Understanding of the offside rule?

I'm surprised no one has said masculinity makes a man a man!

Very refreshing.

A man wouldn’t have wanted one... because they weren’t females at all were they, just weak men.

Oh wait, masculinity in disguise.

newyears was paraphrasing that Native American tribe’s definition, not his/her own definition!