Manhood Unfiltered

After a long and exhausting Monday, he returned home. He parked his car at his usual spot. While humming his favorite song, he exited the car and took the elevator. The elevator ride was quick and uneventful; he soon arrived at his apartment floor. Taking out his keys, he unlocked the door and stepped into the darkness. Sighing deeply, he locked the door behind him, and a familiar thought crossed his mind—her. It had been three years, yet he still thought about her every single day.

Ignoring his intrusive thoughts, he took off his hoodie and felt the cold air hit his warm torso. He glanced at his back muscles in the reflection of the window. The gym is his escape. He has been working diligently on his physique, and her thoughts don't disturb him while he's at the gym, which is why he enjoys his Gym sessions. After what felt like an eternity, he was satisfied with what he saw in the reflection.

After all, he had put in a lot of effort. He then went to the restroom to freshen up. After getting ready, he exited the bathroom and turned on the TV. He tuned in to an F1 race and began browsing a food delivery app on his phone. He ordered his meal online, and while waiting for it to arrive, he opened a dating app to check for new likes.

While waiting for his order, he watched F1, tracking the delivery on his second screen. After a while, his phone rang with a delivery update. He went outside to pick up his order. He enjoyed his meal while watching TV. After dinner, he browsed YouTube for a while and slept with a video about ancient India playing in the background.

Isn't it a rather mundane routine? Historically, men were hunters—vigorous providers, warriors, and capable of surviving extreme conditions. But what are they doing today? Often, they find themselves watching F1 while napping on the sofa. Times have changed, and so has the job profile of men. Today's men are different; they are trapped in the cycle of life and confused with their role in society. 

As a result, they have lost touch with their primal instincts and are becoming increasingly aggressive, depressed, anxious, and lost on their life paths. In earlier days, men were hunters, providers, and protectors, and women were nurturers, gatherers, and caregivers. Women needed protection from dangers, and men provided that protection. However, things have changed. In today's world, women have taken up the role of providers. They are now more independent in addition to being nurturing. Men seem to be confused with their identity. Some men fail to understand that times have changed, and so does real men's definition. 

If you ask me what defines a real man, he is not defined by high testosterone levels, speed, or how much weight he can lift. Instead, the real man is honest, hardworking, morally enriched, calm, and composed. He solves problems, does not complain about the small things in his life, and remains unphased by challenges. 

The one who is always a work in progress. The one who can feel, express his emotions and cry, but he never gives up. The selfless one. The real men are of character. Who doesn't blame others and is ready to take on responsibility. The one who does not lose his calm and is composed in any situation.

He is a family man who loves and cares for his family and respects everyone. He understands the value of relationships and works hard to maintain them. He takes on the responsibilities of the household. He works tirelessly for his family and finds contentment in seeing their happiness.

He is a true lover who supports his partner, takes action for her benefit, and always considers her comfort and needs. For example, he takes care of her, thinks of her before him, offers her the first bite of his food, is upfront about how he feels, shares his thoughts with her, and is loyal to her. She is never in doubt when he is around. 

The one who makes her feel safe and secure. He genuinely tries to understand her and does not become irritable over trivial matters. He takes responsibility for his actions. Women no longer require physical protection from animals; instead, they seek emotional support. 

A real man is the one who is observant enough to notice what she is doing in a room full of people, the one who takes care of her problems. Women today don't need a man who can thrive in extreme conditions but rather someone who can be there for them during emotional breakdowns. They don't need someone who can lift heavy weights but can support them when they're feeling down. With changing times, women don't require a partner to build a house for them; they seek someone to share their lives with, contributing equally to maintaining that home.

As I look around, I see many good men who are unaware of the struggles that women face. A real man tries to understand his partner and her challenges. While she may run errands for him, he must recognize that she also manages her career and household responsibilities. The man who appreciates her efforts is the top-tier one. 

This additional work can be overwhelming for her. Since the Stone Age, women have cared for children, raised families, and cooked. These roles have persisted through the ages and remain relevant today. As time has progressed, more responsibilities have been added to the already extensive list of tasks that women handle. 

While there have been changes in men's roles over time—where men once hunted and fought in wars—most men now tend to engage in more stationary work rather than physical labor. Despite these shifts in how men contribute to society, many men still struggle with emotional availability, leaving women feeling emotionally drained. Unfortunately, many men fail to recognize this dynamic. 

Real men demonstrate their care by helping alleviate their partners' burdens, understanding that a woman's well-being contributes to mutual happiness. Today, ask yourself: How can we all strive to be better partners? And work on it.

Time seems to change, but men do not appear to evolve.