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How would you define masculinity?

I would define it as being strong (not just physically, but overall as a person), confident and comfortable in your own skin.

Do you feel like your race or ethnicity impacts your concepts or understanding of masculinity? How so?

I’ve never thought about it, but I don’t think it does at all.

How does masculinity hold you back? Or, rather, do you feel like you lose out on anything because of masculinity? Explain.

That’s funny, because a lot of people close to me would consider me as not as masculine as other men they know. I used to think of it as an insult, but thinking about it now, I think they were comparing to the stereotype of a masculine man. My definition of that is the macho acting douchebags I see in the gym everyday and the guys that go out of there way to not be sweet, caring, thoughtful or even chivalrous because they think it makes them look weak.

If you had to describe to someone what a masculine person looked like, how would you do it? (What celebrities or fictional characters comes to mind?)

Someone that doesn’t have to flash their masculinity, it just comes off of them automatically. Like I said, comfortable in their own skin without a worry about what any one else thinks. Not cocky, just being themselves. Celebrity that comes to mind would be Jason Statham. Fictional character would have to be Archer, but he is definitely the stereotypical masculine person, still awesome though.

Considering this description, how do you feel your body compares? Does this comparison influence how you feel about your body?

I have always been self-conscious about my body for as long as I can remember. I work out 5 days a week and am probably the most comfortable with my body now than I have ever been right at this moment, but I don’t think it is or will ever be good enough.

What parts of your body are you really comfortable with or really appreciate? And why?


I am most comfortable with my chest and shoulders, just because they stand out more than anything else on my body. I do appreciate everything about myself though.

Compare those parts of your body with parts of your body that you’re less sure about; parts that maybe affect the way you get ready for the day, i.e. getting dressed, maintenance, personal hygiene, etc. Stuff that maybe you’re self conscious about other people noticing because these are parts of your body that compromise your sense of your own masculinity or appeal.


I am most insecure about my legs. As much as I try to work them out, they seem to stay the same. Even in the summer time, I rarely wear shorts.

HAVE YOU EVER FELT THAT SOCIETY PRESSURES YOU TO LOOK OR ACT IN CERTAIN WAYS? IF SO, HOW?

I really don’t pay attention to any one about how I should look, act, etc. Love it or hate it, I am and will always be me and how I want to be. But of course, when you look any where, it’s all about how you look first, before any one gets to know anything about you. I don’t think that’s right, but that is the world we live in today.

WHAT DO CHARGED TERMS LIKE “PATRIARCHY” OR “PRIVILEGE” MAKE YOU FEEL? WHY DO YOU FEEL THAT WAY?

I don’t think any one should be gifted with any thing special just because of their gender or race or anything else. Everyone should be judged by their actions and on the person they are on the inside, not out. But again, that is not the world we live in.