Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: ARTS & LIFE

Media Credit: Matt Fagan Students discuss "What makes a man a man?" in the lobby of Traditions Hall on Monday night. Josh Goston an English junior, and Michael Rodriguez a Hospitality Management junior hosted the discussion.

Media Credit: Matt Fagan On Monday night (from left to right) Michael Rodriguez a Hospitality Management junior, and Josh Goston an English junior, hosted an open-discussion in the lobby of Traditions Hall about how to be a gentleman.

Throughout time, characteristics of "what makes a man" have often been disputable.

On Monday night, Josh Gosdin, an English junior and housing assistant for Traditions Hall, and Michael Rodriguez, a hospitality junior and housing ambassador for Traditions Hall, came together with residents in Victory Hall to debate the makings of masculinity in the program "What Makes a Man?"

Both students agreed that "the new generation of men needs a lot of work." The main objective of the program was to discuss everyone's opinion of what they think makes a man and see where the modern man is headed in the future.

"My grandfather taught me some very important things about being a man that has followed me throughout my life," Gosdin said.

The attendees had different perspectives of what a man should be. Some said that the man should be the sole provider of the family and bring home the majority of the family income.

Another large group at the discussion said it does not matter if you are a man or a woman; it is all about what you can do as a human to provide.

"Many young men today are in no rush to get married," Rodriguez said.

He said he thinks this generation of men is more focused on accomplishing their own dreams instead of starting a family.

"My goal is to ensure a new viewpoint of men and make them gentlemen but have their own individuality," Rodriguez said.

Masculinity was also a hot topic throughout the discussion. Many said a man should always be physically stronger than a woman.

Whether a man should pick up the check was also debated. The majority of the residents said a man should always pick up the check. The panel also agreed the man should always be the one to drive.

The question of where the modern man is headed in the future remained unanswered at the end of the night.

Gosdin said he hopes for young men to be inspired by the discussion and wants them to apply all the information they received to their lives.

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