Men were only made into 'men' with great difficulty even in primitive society: the male is not naturally 'a man' any more than the woman. He has to be propped up into that position with some ingenuity, and is always likely to collapse.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Masculinity is described as a constructed role that requires effort to maintain and is not innate.
- In plain terms
- Being a man is not natural; it is a difficult role that must be built and maintained.
- What can you take from it?
- Gender roles like masculinity are socially constructed and require constant effort to uphold.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is masculinity a natural state or a social construct?
- How stable are traditional gender roles?
Another view
The statement generalizes across all societies and times without specific evidence.
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