Photo Credit: whytry.org

Be strong. Be sensitive. But not too sensitive! Guys today get a lot of mixed messages, leaving us all asking one question:

Just what does it mean to be a man, anyway?

For most guys, this question is important – and personal. The truth is, guys of all ages go to great lengths to prove their manhood to themselves and others – especially other men.

While some may think being a man is about being tough and aggressive, there’s actually more to it than just that.

Being a man is also about emotional and ethical strength.

Having emotional and ethical strength means recognizing that you can’t tough it out all of the time. It means realizing that while it’s okay to be tough and aggressive some of the time, it is also okay to be sensitive and vulnerable at others. It means understanding how your words can affect others and going an extra step to care for and respect others.

Perhaps most of all, though, it means recognizing that being a man is not about following a crowd. It’s about being your own person, able to resist the influence of others. It’s about doing the right thing, even if it’s not popular.

Adapted from: Safeteens