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Author: Martin Robb
  • Activity
  • 10 minutes

What does it mean, to be a man?

Updated Thursday, 2 February 2023

Beliefs about what makes a ‘real’ man have changed enormously over time. So what does it mean to be a man in the twenty-first century? Do traditional ideas about masculinity still apply, and if not, what kinds of new ideas have replaced them? Explore our interactive below to learn more.

Find out more about The Open University’s Social work qualifications.

Main character sitting on sofa with pizza and beers - banner to enter interactive Click on the image above, to start your interactive experience...

Instructions

For best results, use a modern web browser. Upgrade to the latest version of Internet Explorer or try a free alternative like Google Chrome, Firefox or Safari. 

Check out the other interactives in this series:

  • What makes a good father?

    What makes a good father?

    Families come in all shapes and sizes, and not all families include fathers. But when there’s a father or someone in the fathering role, we all have our own ideas about what makes a good dad. What does a man have to do to earn this title, and have our standards changed over time? Explore our interactive to learn more.

    Take part now to access more details of What makes a good father?

    Activity

    Level: 1 Introductory

  • Being a boy

    Being a boy

    What is life like for boys today? In what follows, we explore aspects of contemporary boyhood, drawing on research conducted at The Open University and elsewhere.

    Take part now to access more details of Being a boy

    Activity

    Level: 1 Introductory

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    The mass media (e.g. radio, TV, internet) has become one of the most powerful institutional influences in society. This free course, Sporting women in the media, explores whether gendered inequalities exist in sport by evaluating the media coverage. The media can be highly influential in shaping perceptions about gender in sport and headlines ...

    Learn more to access more details of Sporting women in the media
  • Why are young men worldwide experiencing mental health crises?

    Why are young men worldwide experiencing mental health crises?

    Everywhere around the world, the suicide rates amongst men outstrips that of women. The writer Will Storr hears some stories - and asks why.

    Read now to access more details of Why are young men worldwide experiencing mental health crises?
  • ‘It’s Just Banter’: Women and Sexual Harassment in the Hospitality Industry

    ‘It’s Just Banter’: Women and Sexual Harassment in the Hospitality Industry

    As a young student, Suzi Collins worked in a bar in Fife. Here she recounts her personal experience with sexual harrassment in the workplace.

    Read now to access more details of ‘It’s Just Banter’: Women and Sexual Harassment in the Hospitality Industry

 

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