What does it mean to be the ''Man of the house''
  • Kanye18
    1
    What does it mean to be the ''Man of the house''? And is it obligatory?

    For example: The father of a family dies and the mother, two sisters, and the only son live together. And then someone tells the only son: ''From now on, you are the man of the house''. Per definition, there is nothing he can do about it? He is(!) the only male in that household. Therefore, he is(!) the man of the house - whether he wants it or not.

    But isn't that unfair? What if the son does not want to be the Man of the house? Since the term does not mean only to be the only male in that house, but to be responsible for the family, or to be the ''boss'' of the family. What if he does not want to be that? He didn't choose to start that family or to be born? How can he be forced to be responsible for the family? And if there is a way, that he doesn't have to be the man of the house: How can he do that? Simply saying: I am not the man of the house, seems to not work. Since it sounds contradictory:

    ''I am not the man of the house'' but in the next moment: ''But I am the only man in the house, therefore the man of the house''.

    What philosophical rules or mechanism are in role here?
    Kanye18 Options
  • jgill
    3.9k
    What philosophical rules or mechanism are in role here? — Kanye18

    Are you the Man of the House, or are you a Man or a Mouse? Investigate the subtle linkage.
    jgill Options
  • Banno
    25.3k
    What philosophical rules or mechanism are in role here? — Kanye18

    It's archaic patriarchic nonsense.
    Banno Options
  • Agent Smith
    9.5k
    It means you're f**ked! :grin:
    Agent Smith Options
  • Tom Storm
    9.2k
    It's archaic patriarchic nonsense. — Banno

    Indeed; a sample of entrenched vintage sexism. Belongs to the same category as those who, in asking about the health of someone's wife, say, 'How's the little woman?' :gasp:
    Tom Storm Options
  • Agent Smith
    9.5k
    It's archaic patriarchic nonsense. — Banno

    I like that! It resonates with where I am in life. Thanks.
    Agent Smith Options
  • Agent Smith
    9.5k
    The OP makes me think of the reverse situation. Women want equality but that means a man doesn't need to get up and give his seat to a woman standing in a packed bus but women then brand the man as ignoble. What's up with that? If you like the rainbow, don't you have to put up with the rain?
    Agent Smith Options
  • Tom Storm
    9.2k
    The OP makes me think of the reverse situation. Women want equality but that means a man doesn't need to get up and give his seat to a woman standing in a packed bus but women then brand the man as ignoble. What's up with that? If you like the rainbow, don't you have to put up with the rain? — Agent Smith

    Where on earth do you live? I stand up for anyone who looks like they need a seat regardless of gender. I would not stand for someone just because they were female. Do people still do this? I haven't seen it for decades.
    Tom Storm Options
  • Cuthbert
    1.1k
    .......but women then brand the man as ignoble — Agent Smith

    To the puzzlement of many men, women want fairness and justice and they also appreciate it when others are kind and considerate. They like to have equal pay for equal work and somewhere to sit when they are especially tired. In return, many are prepared not to have special advantages and to take care of others' needs whenever they reasonably can. That deals with the 'equality' vs 'seats on the bus' puzzle, which should be no puzzle at all. We all want fairness. We all need the kindness of strangers occasionally.
    Cuthbert Options
  • Agent Smith
    9.5k
    Where on earth do you live? I stand up for anyone who looks like they need a seat regardless of gender. I would not stand for someone just because they were female. Do people still do this? I haven't seen it for decades. — Tom Storm

    I saw it on TikTok. I guess it's an old clip but then it looked like the video had been taken by a camera phone and TikTok's, how old?, 3 years?

    which should be no puzzle at all — Cuthbert

    :chin: I must be living on another planet Tom Storm.
    Agent Smith Options
  • Tom Storm
    9.2k
    ↪Agent Smith
    Things have changed. Here's a teaching story from me. :yikes:

    I was standing in a busy train on a hot day in Melbourne. A beautiful woman in her late 20's was looking at me and smiling. I looked back at her and wondered why she seemed interested in me. I could have been her dad's age. Her eyebrows were raised as if she wanted to say something. Was it hello? Was it that she knew me? What could it be? It occurred to me that it had been a few years since an attractive woman had come onto me, so I was intrigued. Then she smiled brightly again and motioned me to lean close to her. I lent in. "Would you like my seat?' she asked me. Moral: public transport is good for your character.
    Tom Storm Options
  • Agent Smith
    9.5k
    ↪Tom Storm
    You lucky bastard! Is that what you expect as a reply?
    Agent Smith Options
  • Tom Storm
    9.2k
    ↪Agent Smith
    Well no. She thought I was an old dude in need of a seat. Compassion was rarely so excoriating. :razz:
    Tom Storm Options
  • Agent Smith
    9.5k
    Well no. She thought I was an old dude in need of a seat. Compassion was rarely so excoriating. :razz: — Tom Storm

    Interesting!
    Agent Smith Options
  • Cuthbert
    1.1k
    ...rarely.... — Tom Storm

    It will become an everyday experience before very long. Then you will start to enjoy it. Then you will come to expect it. Then you will be a grumpy old bloke. Just sketching out the map of the road ahead...
    Cuthbert Options
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