Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Alex on March 21, 2012 at 2:10am

In that case here is my reply:

By modern standards is still a man hence why Included the two points:

-Newton had no father and grew up in what we call a "broken home" by today's standards and still made a decent go of it.

-Newton worked his way through school.

In terms of jock masculinity, the only activity that really fits in with "jock masculinity" would be hunting, the others are just typical stereotypes (based in reality) of manlinesses is and newton fits the most important character on that list.

Being an academic and manly are not mutually inclusive. Being an academic sometimes leads to the production of something useful that can be built.

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Permalink Reply by Brandon Michael on March 21, 2012 at 3:09pm

Is having no father manly? I never knew that about myself. I know I cried about it sometimes when I was very little, but I didn't know not having one was manly.

I've never felt particularly manly, but I've always contributed to the family since I got my first job. My brother is 19 and doesn't even have a job.

Newton looks like he was probably the equivalent of a metrosexual back then. Real men worked the fields in rags until they died from dysentery.

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Permalink Reply by Alex on March 19, 2012 at 6:56pm

Actually, it is about math and the perception of it it is or isn't a manly skill, posters took it elsewhere. Typically happens when no one has a concrete answer for a problem.

I was curious if the study of mathematics was percieved as manly. So far three people have given a yes or no answer with supporting reasons.

I personally see the ability to manipulate any sort of mathematics as unisex. I have noticed from tutoring freshman that women tend to work better with variables and men tend to work better with number.

I have my own theory that you don't see an even distribution of men and women in the math departments anymore are because of the massive "Women in Math and Science" recruiting and scholarship programs.

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Permalink Reply by JonEdanger on March 19, 2012 at 8:04pm

Typically happens when no one has a concrete answer for a problem. 

What problem?

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Permalink Reply by Rebekah on March 19, 2012 at 4:31pm

If man is a rational, sociable animal, I would posit that most manly is to use those faculties in the most ways, for the most purposes, to the highest degree. Hunting and household mechanics then become only slightly manly. You're doing what brutes do (hunt, make nests) but with tools. To obtain those things through a complex system of labor division, however, is to obtain these necessities in a very manly, not brutish way.

BTW, producing milk is not manly.

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Permalink Reply by SB on March 19, 2012 at 4:50pm

Two points:  your use of the word 'If' would indicate you think otherwise--and I'm hurt.

2) I like and agree with the rest of your thesis--needs more exploring. However, a large part of this site is dedicated to men who want to break it down to the bare essense--'I killed a bear, skinned it and eat the heart raw, therefore I am a true man'.  I agree with that position also.   

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Permalink Reply by Rebekah on March 19, 2012 at 5:02pm

I meant man = mankind here. There are aspects of human life when gender plays a role. Today I'm not of the opinion that the study of math or the acquisition of food and shelter are necessarily among them.

My thesis, however, is just an extreme extrapolation of a really old way of thinking; it's not original.

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Permalink Reply by SB on March 19, 2012 at 5:31pm

Ok.  I agree that the old stereotypes of what manliness is are outdated. While I like to think that killing my dinner is manly, it may be the outdated equivalent of the womanly skill of embroidering doilies. So what, then, is a modern definition of manliness? Someone should start a website about that...     

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Permalink Reply by Pat Vandelay on March 19, 2012 at 4:36pm

Ah, nice, this thread looks like its taking a turn for the worse.  Looks like this Alex person is just trolling now and not actually using this forum for intelligent discussion.  Way to go, dude!

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Permalink Reply by SB on March 19, 2012 at 4:44pm

It started out rough, then got worse.

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Permalink Reply by Alex on March 19, 2012 at 7:06pm

Well when you only get three answers to the original question that actually deal with the question (mind you a type of question that has a yes or no answer) instead of a re-direct for the poster's own purposes, of course it's going to go to hell in a handbag.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Melendez on March 20, 2012 at 10:27am

Well, Alex I have always liked math and done well in the subject and I'm a well man(lacking a better word I know). But i think you are thinking about this question the wrong way. Its not math classes that are not boring and uninteresting most classes generally are and especially if you are don't understand. I think it is more that math is an abstract class and shy, introverts, nerds, and these types of guys love these classes because they don't really have to speak and if they do they are in their element. Think about other classes where when you must speak up, you have to voice your opinion and put your ideas out there. So you have to consider what types of people are attracted to abstract classes and who avoids them, then you can really get to your question and answer.

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