Yik Yak logo
Download TikTok Instagram X
Yik Yak icon
Join communities on Yik Yak Download
LGBTQIA+ icon
LGBTQIA+ 8w
What does maleness mean to you? How do you know you’re a man? How do you know you’re not a man?
comment

7
upvote 5 downvote
default user profile icon
Anonymous 8w

Gender is a weird one. I was raised male and, while I was definitely a bit of an outcast, I connected with men in leadership organizations and hierarchal structures (e.g. scouts, football). I’ve since gravitated away from maleness and see cisnormative maleness as a series of oppositions; maleness is *not* femininity, maleness is *not* girly, maleness is *not* anything really.

upvote 6 downvote
default user profile icon
Anonymous 8w

Idk how I really realized I wasn’t a man. I lived in denial of my gender stuff for a while, I tried really hard to be “manly”, but it just wasn’t fitting me. Eventually found out it was because I’m NB

upvote 5 downvote
default user profile icon
Anonymous 8w

like strong

upvote 1 downvote
default user profile icon
Anonymous 8w

and yes

upvote 1 downvote
default user profile icon
Anonymous replying to -> #3 8w

I’ve known and loved such a diverse pool of men that identifying even a singular “masculine” trait beyond “stuff girls don’t do” is impossible. In lieu of a concrete definition, I recommend hanging out with people of all genders and backgrounds. Try names, pronouns, outfits, or identities in places where those concepts can be reversed (coffee shops, among close friends, volunteering) and see what bits of which identities of those you love you find fit you best!

upvote 6 downvote
default user profile icon
Anonymous replying to -> #3 8w

TL;DR man or not, how do you know you’re you?

upvote 10 downvote
default user profile icon
Anonymous replying to -> #3 7w

Thank you, this was very informative

upvote 2 downvote