WHO IS A MAN?

I have asked myself this question many times. How then does one qualify to be called a man? Is it a standard to rally to, Is there a criterion that measures the mettle of boys and elevates them to the gloried status of manhood.

So long we have been led to believe that a man is an adult human male.

Surely,  age alone is not enough to earn one this noblest of tittles. 

Should it perhaps be measured by the breadth of one's chest? Should it be evidenced by the appearance of pubic hair? Should we perhaps measure a man, by the size of his genitals? On a lighter note, If that is the case, then I qualify. 

Should we perchance, measure a man by the number of ladies he has intercoursed? 

All the above, perhaps, are a part of manhood, essentially they are important. But I for one is of the opinion that they alone do not, should not, qualify a person to be called a Man. The name, man, surely embodies more than that.

Therefore, I ask again. Who is a man? 

A man mustn’t only be an adult male or a male of legal age. Manhood surely should be measured by one's determination to do the best one can with what one has. It should be measured by one’s courage and ability to rise above discrimination, to rise above circumstances. And in the end, rise back from setbacks. 

Manhood should be measured by one's ability to handle rejection and heartbreak. It should be measured by the goodness of one's heart. Loving self, and loving others.

It should be measured by one's honesty. A person’s ability to face the consequences of his choices and his actions. Manhood should be one's humility, the ability to accept correction.

To know that one cannot always be right. To be able to listen to others.

So look deep within yourself. And ask. Are you worthy?

Are you a man? Or are you just pretending to be one?