I am a man. I know this because of the following reasons. First, the most obvious reason I consider myself a male is that I possess almost all physical features that are considered manly. These include the masculine physique, deep voice, beard, and mustache; just to mention but a few. Secondly, being the natives of Saudi Arabia, we are technically Muslims; and according to our culture boys and men put on thobes, outfits specially designed for hot-weather regions. Since I do have and wear them, it gives me another reason to count myself as one. Additionally, I always handle roles that are dedicated to males in the community.
However, according to me the qualities that define a man aren't actually physical but rather moral. In my understanding, a man should be someone who holds a high level of moral standards. It means that he should be modest, respectful, discipline and upholds integrity. Problem-solving skill is another trait that makes a man. He ought to be capable of fixing mistakes instead of putting the blame on others. Also, he should be an assertive, open-minded and liberal individual. Manhood is the transition from immaturity (childhood) to maturity (adulthood). Often, adulthood is associated with bigger responsibilities like the ability to raise a family and provide for it. Other features that characterize manhood are confidence, courage, boldness, and sound decision-making. According to my family, a man is a person who has been initiated from a reckless boy into a more responsible individual through the nurturing of character (Commins 74). This happens especially during the circumcision period when an initiate gets to learn the way to uphold acceptable traditional values. Once this rite has been passed, the boy is considered a man and usually treated with much respect.
The next rite of passage after circumcision is marriage. A man is expected to find a maiden to marry. Ordinarily, this union takes place between paternal first cousins. Polygamy is acceptable, and every male is allowed to marry to at most four wives. It is the moral obligation of the man to treat all of them equally. What follows, of course, is procreation. The number of children a man can have is unlimited, on condition that he is capable of taking care of them (Modern Muslim Societies 406). The final rite of passage is death, of which every living creature must encounter.
The definition of a man according to my community is that person who can fight to defend his people against an enemy. A man is believed to possess strong defensive skills and physical capabilities to defeat any attacker. It is due to this reason that males are commonly held in such high regard when it comes to matters security. However, according to our culture, a true man is expected to be a role model to the younger generation (Lindsey 199). Therefore, he should be a religious individual with a highly developed ethical sense. Our society demands nothing less than what the community does. It requires that every person, who is considered a man, be responsible. Divisions do arise between the natives and the immigrants due to various reasons. These are mainly attributed to cultural barriers. Men are looked upon to bring social cohesion and development in the society.
For some reason, labor division has resulted in gender segregation. According to research, the females only constitute about 7% of the formal workforce in Saudi Arabia. In my opinion, both men and women should share all the roles in an unbiased way. This would ensure that everyone gets treated equally.
Works Cited
Commins, David. Islam in Saudi Arabia. London [u.a.: Turis, 2015. Print.
Lindsey, Linda L. Gender Roles: A Sociological Perspective. N.p., 2015. Print.
Modern Muslim Societies. Tarrytown: Marshall Cavendish Reference, 2011. Print.
