When did you know you were a man?

[irnbrutwinturbo]

I knew i was a man when i walked into the gamestore and bought a PS3 with my own money, without asking for anyone's permission or guidance.

No wait, scrap that, i actually knew i was a man when i had to explain my impulse purchase to my wife.

 

[TB]

I knew i was a man when i walked into the gamestore and bought a PS3 with my own money, without asking for anyone's permission or guidance.

No wait, scrap that, i actually knew i was a man when i had to explain my impulse purchase to my wife.

Married, eh? Wasn't actually your money then, was it?

 

[Joey D]

Either when I was 17, just about 18, and told the Marine recruiter he was full of it and that I no longer wished to join the military. To me that proved that I could be my own man and make my own life's decisions. Not to mention it took a lot of balls to flat out tell a military recruiter he was a lying bastard.

Or when I was 20 and boarded a plane to the UK to study for 6 weeks. Figuring out a unfamiliar land with somewhat unfamiliar customs without the help of anyone really made me step up my game and become more adult like.

 

[Max Powers]

When I was 21, when I started paying my own bills (cell, car insurance, tuition, rent) and looking after myself for once. It's a lot more work for me, but I love the feeling of independence.

Joey, they don't even speak a different language in England, I think it would be pretty easy to adapt there compared to trying to live in a country where they speak a foreign language. I've spent a lot of time in South America and while it didn't make me a man, it did give me a good perspective of a new culture.

 

[Joey D]

Joey, they don't even speak a different language in England, I think it would be pretty easy to adapt there compared to trying to live in a country where they speak a foreign language. I've spent a lot of time in South America and while it didn't make me a man, it did give me a good perspective of a new culture.

It is but it isn't at the same time, I was raised with very English grandparents so I knew the dialect fairly well. I think it was more the fact that I was going far away from home and being on my own for an extended period of time. Before that I had never really travelled all that far or all that long by myself. After I figured out that I could do it without ending up dead, I felt more like an adult.

And I know what you mean about countries where you don't speak the language, or at least speak the language well. At least in the UK I could ask a local for help and hold a conversation. When I've been in countries like Spain, Germany, France, etc. I had a much harder time...although I can speak German fairly well.

 

[Slick Rick]

Im 21 but I dont really see myself as a Man. I still live at home, Im in full time education, dont have any real respnsibilities, no one relies on me to live, my job isnt important and I dont really have bills to pay. Thats how I see a man, someone who has major responsibilities, has their own home and who other people depend on i.e kids. Id just call myself a guy i guess, other people may refer to people like me as 'young man' as in you are ready to be a man but your man journey has not begun yet

 

[CAMAROBOY69]

I was thrown into manhood when I was forced to move out on my own right out of high school at 18. Had to take on all the responsibilities life could throw at me and still attend college and maintain a job. I went through just about anything you could imagine and survived on my own. Multiple room mates, unemployment, trouble with the law, and much more. Sometimes down to $5.00 in the bank. Even donated plasma for money for many months just to pay rent.

Here I am 14 years later graduated with a beautiful gaming girlfriend, great production engineer job, excellent credit, a beautiful house with 2 stall garage, 2 of my favorite muscle cars, 2 daily drivers, 2 quads, multiple of each gaming system, and pretty much any toys most people would want. I also dont smoke or do any drugs at allso that saves money. Been a very hard working life but I survived everything that has been thrown at me and I have a lot to show for it.

 

[Danoff]

Some time after buying my house I had a day where I spent the morning repairing the stucco on the side of the house, adding a fixture on the side of the house, installing new electrical wiring and lighting in the attic, buying lumber at the hardware store, grilling hot dogs, watching football, playing fetch with my dog, grilling steaks, and watching a movie with copious amounts of violence and nudity while drinking alcohol.

 

[FoolKiller]

I said 19-25 because just after college is when I met my wife and realized that I would spend the rest of my life with her and started living my life like something mattered other than me.

But at the same time, every new adult decision that comes up makes me question if I am adult enough to deal with it. I take care of it and deal with it, but in the back of my mind I am constantly thinking I am not mature enough to deal with this stuff. But maybe that's the difference; I keep those fears and doubts tucked away and just solve the problem.

 

[Leonidae]

when I moved out to my own apartment, and started paying my food and bills, doing my laundry etc.

 

[Speedy Samurai]

the first time we went out to a restaurant and my father told me I had to use the Men's room. I was 4 years old.

 

[Giancarlo]

Car. 18.

 

[Mrs. Famine]

I'll probably not become a man, but never say never...

 

[Terronium-12]

When I looked down meh trousers.

Seriously though, there are a lot of things that could account for someone being a "man" and to be honest, I don't think paying bills is one of them. Paying bills doesn't make you a "man" if anything it displays one being adroit. In spite of that however, the first time I knew I was a man was the day I owned up to the fact that unless I start taking care of myself, I wouldn't last too long especially with my "epilepsy".

 

[NissanSkylineN1]

The thread made me notice now...AND IM ONLY IN GRADE 8!!!!! Now i start staring at my sideburns.

 

[Joel]

I'm not a man, I'm only 15. As far as I'm concerned, becoming a man isn't about physical changes, it's about self sufficiency. So no, when you get your pubes, you aren't a man. If that were true, every 13 year old on call of duty 4 is a man. When you move out of your parents house, and stand on your own two feet, is when you become a man.

 

[ExigeEvan]

2 things occured at 18.

1) I was given the responsibility to sell alcohol, knives and fireworks to the public.
2) When I first stood up against a guy in a nightclub because he was harassing my girlfriend. There wasn't a fight, but he didn't hang around.

 

[Barracuda]

I wouldn't say I'm a man yet, but I felt pretty close when I bought my car with my own money that I had worked two jobs for. I say I'm not because my parents pay for my gas and insurance because my lazy ass can't find a job. It's not like I just fool around though, I get just enough to get back and forth from college. I wish I could pay for it all but I haven't had any luck when I've looked for a job.

 

[CirclesCenter]

When I got out on my own at 18 and had this realization: If I did not put food in the fridge, there would be no food in the fridge, and hence no food to eat. Sounds really dumb, but it is actually a pretty big thing.

when i got my pubes....

And that statement proves that you're nowhere near.

Dang it Famine, that is awesome. I think just reading that made my beard go from slightly unkempt to lumberjack status.

Also I think when I realized I loved and hated a woman at the exact same time. Also when I lost her that I was glad to have had her, be rid of her and woefully sad about all of it while still loving her and being happy. (No kids, not oscillation back and forth to and fro. You'll get it when you're older.)

I'm not a man, I'm only 15. As far as I'm concerned, becoming a man isn't about physical changes, it's about self sufficiency. So no, when you get your pubes, you aren't a man. If that were true, every 13 year old on call of duty 4 is a man. When you move out of your parents house, and stand on your own two feet, is when you become a man.

Not there yet, but most certainly on the right track. Kudos for self awareness rarely displayed by anyone, let alone someone so young.

Also, every few months I still have that. "I am completely and totally responsible for myself... Sweet." Moment. I'm 23 and it's still blowing my mind every so often, so to cope I wear shades, a shirt, socks, and boxers while dancing to rock music in my living room.

 

[Kneedragger]

Quotes I like: 'boy tells his father, "when I grow up I want to be a guitar player!" ..dad says, 'you can do one or the other, but you cant do both."

Expectant parent asks the doctor after the ultrasound, "well is it a boy or a girl??" doc says, 'its a little early to be putting sexual stereotypes on your child dont you think?'

p.s. i took a g.e.d. a year early and left high school. a week later i set out for los angeles on a ten speed bike from new mexico, totally on my own. being a man? i have more ambition than that..

 

[Earth]

When I looked down meh trousers.

Seriously though, there are a lot of things that could account for someone being a "man" and to be honest, I don't think paying bills is one of them. Paying bills doesn't make you a "man" if anything it displays one being adroit. In spite of that however, the first time I knew I was a man was the day I owned up to the fact that unless I start taking care of myself, I wouldn't last too long especially with my "epilepsy".

I agree. Paying bills and taking care of yourself without assistance from others is only part of being a man in my opinion

How you treat others and yourself is another part. Do you take loyalty seriously. Can others count on you. etc etc

Theres so much to being a man

I see alot of people voted 19-25, but the general thinking in my family is that most guys dont become men until their late 30s or 40s

One of the many reasons why alot of women marry older guys. Its because they are men

 

[Terronium-12]

I agree. Paying bills and taking care of yourself without assistance from others is only part of being a man in my opinion

How you treat others and yourself is another part. Do you take loyalty seriously. Can others count on you. etc etc

Theres so much to being a man

I see alot of people voted 19-25, but the general thinking in my family is that most guys dont become men until their late 30s or 40s

One of the many reasons why alot of women marry older guys. Its because they are men

Assuming they actually are men, and not some rich moron who couldn't spell his own name.

Sorry. Too much Hollywood on TV lately.

 

[Exorcet]

When the new priest at my church thought I was my brother's dad and my mom's husband.

 

[Azuremen]

But at the same time, every new adult decision that comes up makes me question if I am adult enough to deal with it. I take care of it and deal with it, but in the back of my mind I am constantly thinking I am not mature enough to deal with this stuff. But maybe that's the difference; I keep those fears and doubts tucked away and just solve the problem.

I can't agree more with you here. While I have a somewhat privileged background, I've faced a lot of rather difficult situations for my age... and each one makes me question whether I'm really cut out for this.

Becoming a man, in my opinion, isn't about coming of age, paying your bills, your actions with woman, or such. It is about being responsible. If you make a mistake, you admit to it, you try to resolve it. And you make decisions knowing you will be accountable for them.

For me, this realization and transformation took some time, but started when I watched my father pass on. He was, in a way, an "answer-key" to life, full of knowledge and wisdom. Of course, I got some money via insurance, which I squandered away over a year, rather carefree and generally intoxicated. And now, over a year later, I am working, going to school, trying to juggle helping and talking with my remaining family, and understanding life goes on, despite whatever inconveniences you may have.

In a nutshell, you're a man when you realize life keeps going, regardless of how badly you screw up, and it is your job to pick yourself back up and keep going along with it, no excuses.