If "be a man" has meaning why doesn't "be a woman" ?

In our society today, it seems that there is only one type of acceptable male - that is the manly man, the strong and confident type. Any others are ridiculed, by men and women alike. (In one movement, it was encouraged for men to be more sensitive and expressive about their feelings. And once they did, they got slapped down by the women who asked for it, calling them sissies, or 'girlie men'.)

But there seems to be no end to acceptable ways for women to act - strong, independent, ballbusting, soft, feminine, needy, high maintenance - and the list goes on.

It would appear that the fight for equality is on the wrong foot - we women seem to have a free pass to act any way we choose, but men are expected to fulfill only one acceptable stereotype. Sad, but true.

Usually the phrase, "be a man" refers to the character of a man: strong, fearless, brave, etc. so, even from childhood, this phrase has been gradually instilled in the minds of the males reminding them that it is their responsibility to live up to the phrase. Women, on the other hand, are thought to be inferior to men. They are seen as weak, feminine, in need of a man's support. It is, then, not appropriate to tell the women to "be a man" otherwise, she will have to take over the man's place or man's role. I don't think men would like that or would appreciate being under a woman's domination. However, just because that phrase do not directly concern the women, it does not mean they will be ignored or deprived of their right as human beings. Times have changed the perception of women's role in society. They are now at par or in equal footing with the men but still, the phrase "be a man" does not apply to them and I believe, it never will.

There is a phrase about be a woman. Or more commonly Thats a womans job. Stuff like that. Men use these phrases when refering to housework that they geel they are above doing. Or doing the leg work with children. Also when woman are in the workforce doing what is commonly a mans job alot of men feel threatened and why dont you be a woman. Ever watch the movie North Country , with Charlize Theron. I think that both things are said in the heat of the moment and are derogatory.

If it was really an equal world men would have babies. Be a man to me just means that its time to not be a child anymore. I have been told to grow up, and be a woman not a girl. I have been on my own since I was 16 and I tell you I didnt ask for any freedom from whatever you said in your additional comments. I just try to be a god wife and mother. I contribute my part to our present and future. I will be by my husbands side through the bad, and hopefully through the good. I just want to live my life and be happy, isnt that what everyone really wants?

"Women use the phrase "be a man" to manipulate men. Men have no such phrase for women to instill guilt or shame for not living up to "standards".

Actually you're right. HOWEVER it was MEN who came up with this phrase. Something fathers said to their boys when they showed any emotion or cried. (Long before feminism, I might add.)Your question is interesting, but you fail to acknowledge the fact that most restrictions placed on men come from other men.

Ask yourself how many things there are that you won't do for fear you will seem less masculine in the eyes of your peers.

These are mostly things that women wouldn't mind, but other men would see as "gay" or "queer" or "girly" or "feminine".

Too many men value the opinions of their peers more than they value being who they really are. If this isn't true, then why do so many men allow three little words to have such a great effect on them?

That's the same as why is there "mankind" and not "womankind".

There is no end to the debate of the status of women compared to men, either culturally, politically, or religiously.

"Be a man" makes more sense than "be a woman" because what does "be a woman" even mean? You say "Fight like a man" or "Face it like a man", you don't say "Fight like a woman". Somehow being a man has a kind of status superior to women, but that doesn't make them better than women. There's a difference but the latter is what society perceives. Why? Because perhaps women rely more on feelings while men rely on practical, logical things.

And apparently life is all about being realistic..

No matter what we all hear about the equality of men and women psychologically, it's in the heads of every one of us that "being a man" makes more sense, has more 'umph' to it, and the only phrase between the two that may be used on both men and women.

If a lady can "be a man" about things then that's Respect with a capital R. Coz I think they can "be a man" but can men possible go through "being a woman" about things?

I kinda doubt it... :P

If you were to tell me to be a woman (and you'd be the first), I'd see your point and begin to act accordingly.

No, if I were closed minded, I would see it as a negative societal view of women, but I am a free spirit and very explorative, and thus do not see it negatively. "Be a man" also applies to women as "be a woman". It would be nice if more ppl were to say that.

OK, I could ask why more men don't wear makeup? Customary not to, I guess? It would be weird to see a male corporate exec putting on some powder while glaring into a compact mirror case. If you want equality between genders, that's one thing, but to blend with everything? Uggghhhh! Some things are just better left as is. I am already having issues with my fellow men/brothers getting their backs waxed because their uptight wives cannot stand the "over-manliness" of such "furriness" on their husbands. I say, let men be men and women be women. There should be some differentiation, don't you think? Why do we both need to blend with everything? Here's another one: Women wearing jock straps while hetero men wearing heels. I'd love to see a male corporate exec wearing capri pencil jeans and neon pink stilettos to the office. Hey, what's the matter with that look, huh? Gender equality, right? I guess I made my point over there, yonder.

I've never had "be a man" used on me (a woman) so I can't say what I'd think of that - probably I'd think the speaker was a little confused, I would feel a bit annoyed just because obviously that statement would be incorrect used on me and wouldn't mean anything. If it was said to me, I'd wonder if that was because the speaker thought it wasn't okay for me to be feminine - they wanted me to be different.

I think "be a man" (said to a man) means "toughen up" or something - "a real man could do it/that" so you 'should' be able to. It appeals to stereotypes of males and masculinity. There is also a lot of pride and status in being a 'real' masculine man.

If someone said to me "be a woman" - it would probably be to 'put me in my place' or something - I am being too much like a man, or something. But nobody says that. Why? I think because there is more respect/pride/status/power tied up in the idea of a real man, so a real man is the thing to be. For a woman, to be a 'real woman' (feminine or whatever) won't give you more respect/pride/status/power etc. It won't really give you much. It is not considered as something to 'acheive' but rather, something you should naturally be.

In today's society it is okay for a woman to be somewhat masculine. But it is very bad for a man to be somewhat feminine. I think that shows the different values given to each gender - being masculine is good, being feminine is not so good. Maybe that is also why "be a man" is given such importance, but "be a woman" is not so essential.

To answer both questions "be a woman" would have the opposite meaning of "be a man", this is why no one says "be a woman", I never hear the phrase "be a lady" although that might be good if it were used more.

Mannequin above: "being a woman" might imply "pregnancy" or mothering in this way it is impossible for men to "be a woman"

"Women use the phrase "be a man" to manipulate men. Men have no such phrase for women to instill guilt or shame for not living up to "standards". "

Men have the power in society. They don't need one little phrase to manipulate women--they have the whole of society to do it.

"Be a lady" is the same as "be a man" because they both set certain ideals for the respective genders to live up to.

that was decided during the council of trent. many cardinals and bishops argued over this, it was a month long symposium. The countryside was sorely taxed, taking care of the personal needs of these great men. Several were executed in the process but in the end, nodding came to mean "yes" and the side to side motion came to mean "no". The extent of conviction was indicated by the vigorousness of the movement. If someone asked you if you wanted cream in your coffee, and you did, you were supposed to bob your head up and down rapidly, even VIOLENTLY at least eight times.

I am willing to have an open discussion with you about this but first of all I need to know how and when this is used to manipulate.

I have heard women use this offhandedly to say be mature or such, but I haven't heard it used in this manner.

Explain in edit or email me.

I don't understand. Sorry.