# What does it mean to be a man?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-man/21501>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [June 6, 2000, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-man/21501 "2000-06-06T00:08:56Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2000, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-does-it-mean-to-be-a-man/21501/41 "2000-06-12T15:13:01Z")

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Bustin’ ass all day Just to put food on the table.  
And I always will for as long as I am able.  
Done all I could, Everything that a man should do.  
Still they refuse to call me, call me what I am. Hey!

Do you know what it takes to be a man?  
Don’t take a whole lots of money, Diamond rings upon your hand, no.  
That ain’t what it takes to be a man.  
Do right by the ones you love, always give a helpin’ hand.

Now I’ve been through it all Seen the good, the bad, the awful.  
Always take care of my share of responsibilities.  
Now, just because I grow my hair and play in a rockin’ band,  
Old folks are always telling me, “Boy, why don’t you grow up And be a man.” Hey!

I know what it takes to be a man.  
It ain’t the way you look or the clothes that you wear.  
That ain’t what it takes to be a man.  
Do right by the ones you love, always lend a helpin’ hand.

Excerpted from:  
**Tesla  
The Great Radio Controversy  
 _Be A Man_**

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