What makes a man a real man?

Question

Paul Franklin is a Master Corporal who fought with the Canadian Army in Afghanistan. He lost both legs after his vehicle was attacked by a suicide bomber. Now that he is home, he says he feels less of a "MAN" because:
1) He can't play soccer with his son anymore
2) He can't walk the dog
3) He can't lock up the house at night
4) He cannot be the "cool dad" on the block

With number 2 & 3, he also included that his wife had to do these things now - eluding to the fact that he can't be the "MAN" of the house. Knowing this, the question is posed, "What makes a man a REAL man?"

Answer 1

confidence in his abilities,no matter how few

Answer 2

He lost his legs, and I cant pretend to now what that does to someone pyscologically. Waht I do know is that my legs are not what makes me a man. The chores that I do around the house does not make me a man. The fact that the neighborhood kids like me or not does not make me a man.
I am a father to my son and daughter, I do my best to make sure that they know I love them. I make sure they know that I cant solve all their problems but I am always here to help them. I do my best to teach them how to be good people and equip them with the knowlege they need to go forward in their lives as good people. I teach them about morals, character, and ethical behavior in a world short on all three.
I make sure that my wife never spends a waking moment wondering if I still love her the way I did when we married 23 years ago. I try to make sure that she knows that I appreciate everything she does for this family, no matter how insignificant. I listen when she needs me to listen, and I talk when she needs me to talk, and I shut up when she needs that too. I amke sure that she knows that beides being the love of my life, she is my best freind, my muse, my reason for going on when it makes no sense to do so.
I try to be there for those who need me if I can help. I volunteer in my community as best I can, offering what knowlege I may posses to better the lives of the poepl in my community. I try to get invilved when it matters and not just talk about a problem around the break table at work.
These are some of the things that I think make a man. These are the things that will be missed, not his legs. My prayers will be with Paul Franklin that he may find his way through this dark time and find that he is still the man he always was.

Answer 3

One of my best friends had an accident when he was 19 that left him paralyzed from the hips down. He has three children. He works full time at the local hospital as the dispatcher and answers the 911 calls that come into the hospital. He mows his yard, he deer hunts, he fishes, he is the President of the "Wheeling Sportsman " chapter in our county. He plays basketball with his son's. He drives a bad *** Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab truck with a back windshield decal that says" Can you Hemi Wimme". He is not on any disability of any kind. I suppose you can be whatever kind of man you want to be. It sounds like the Master corporal has just lost his will to live his life. That's a real shame.

Answer 4

he's still a man
just regretting things he could do before
a real man kniws that the manhood in him is derived from those who love him despite of the things he feels he has shortcomings of and not what he can perform
the true man lies inside
he can't play soccer so they will read together more
he can't walk the dog but he can pet the dog more
he can't lock his house but he can open it to those in need
he is the cool dad on the block because he has had to face tougher realities than the others

the glass is always half empty or half full

Answer 5

The key to your first part of the question is that he "feels" less of a man...
The fact that he was selfless and fought for his country makes him a real man.
He is healing emotionally from something that is tragic for him - of course he feels less because he is not as self sufficient as he has always been.
A real man is someone who WANTS to be able to do all of the things for his family that he wants to do. A real man is loving, caring, compassionate, caring, giving, selfless, honest, kind and has his priorities in order.

Answer 6

Someone who can stick with his beliefs no matter what the majority say. Who puts his family first, and is strong enough of mind to resist temptation that would lead him to stray from his wife. Someone who doesn't drag his feet, but finds a way out of his problems, and gets on with his carrying out his responsibilities without complaints no matter how hard it may be.

Answer 7

a man is a man if he can take control of his situation and better it for himself and his family, a man is one who looks past the obstacle and towards the solution, a man does not pity himself, he changes is circumstances because they need changing; it's okay for him to cry, and get angry, but in the end, being where you are needed and doing what needs to be done is manhood

Answer 8

A real man is one who does not let society impose upon him the idea of what a man should be.

Answer 9

A REAL man is a man who puts GOD first! In everything!!

Answer 10

a real man is one who will love you no matter what and will take care of your kids from a past low life you had them with, and take care of them better then their "sperm donor" with no questions asked

Answer 11

the first measure of a man is his willingness to assume responsibility.