by Libby Williams

Created on: April 15, 2009

Manliness is NOT obsolete. Of course, that depends on one's idea of what manliness is. If one sees manliness as the rough and tough, gun-toting, tobacco-chewing, just got in from the fields where he "worked from sun up to sun down" character that comes in at the end of the day with some varmints ready to be skinned and cleaned up for dinner, then maybe. If one sees manliness in strength of character, some level of chivalry, and a deep rooted feeling of responsibility to provide for and protect those he loves, then no. It is alive and well. I'm married - not to the perfect man, mind you, but he's very manly. The kind of man that still swats my hand when I try to open the door for myself, loves the words "I need you" - I think more than anything, has a healthy interest in my physical attributes, and still has the graciousness to thank me for the dinner I put on the table at night.

I realize not everyone has the same kind of husband I do, but I am thankful for him and any others out there like him. There are plenty of men that do not seem to exhibit manly behavior, but I think that is a product of the world they've grown up in. Personal appearance hasn't always been so important for men. In yesterday's world men were chosen for the strength of their backs, not their minds. That doesn't seem to be so important in the world today where much labor isn't manual. Men have adapted just as women have to the needs of the world around them, and their need to make it in that world. There are many men out there - and I'm not judging by any means - that seem less manly (in our old-world view of the word) because they seem soft. When I say soft, I mean they have their nails done and they pay their stylist so much money in a year they are able to claim it on their taxes. They don't like getting dirty; their hands are softer and younger-looking than mine. This in no way means they aren't still manly. They may not have the calloused hands, may never carry a tackle box or work on a car themselves, but still have the attributes that make them men. They love their families and friends, would go to great lengths to defend the lives of those they care about, want to provide for those people in a monetary sense while providing happiness as well. If they can do all of this while looking great, more power to them!

I haven't been married for very long but I have known my husband for a long time. So, for those women out there that are dating, manliness is still alive. He may not show it in the most conventional ways, but come on ladies! It doesn't take long to know if you are in the presence of a real man. They have a way of letting us know and we have a way of picking up on it.

I personally prefer the rough and tough guy with the hands that are calloused but hold me gently. I prefer the guy with brains and brawn. I prefer the guy that doesn't work on cars all day but knows how. I prefer the guy that gets aggravated that he has to pay anything over $10 for a haircut and the guy that would have to be tied down to get a manicure. I prefer the guy that can tote a gun in one hand and hold my hand in the other. That's just me though.

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