In the past few weeks, The Oregonian has been running a few stories about what makes a Manly Man. Their first story was titled "25 Skills Every Man Should Know" and was based on a list in Popular Mechanics. This list included things like: Patch a radiator hose, change a bike tire, frame a wall, clean a bolt action rifle and back-up data. (See more at http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/technology_news/4221635.html).

Today The Oregonian, published their list of what 50 Oregonians, both men and women, reported as their ideas of the most important skills for a man to possess. (Go to http://www.oregonlive.com/living/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/living/1191441328228900.xml&coll=7 to see the entire list.) The Oregonian went a step further and broke out the answers of men vs. women. Suffice it to say, that other than listing "Chop firewood", "Cleaning gutters" and "Unplug/Clean a toliet" the women's list contained very few items one typically thinks of being on a Honey-Do List. The women's list contain items like "Love cats and dogs", "Balance work and family", and "Change a diaper". The two that spoke the most about what a women feels a man should be able to do were "Call a repairman" and "Ask for directions"- not actions usually associated with most men.

The men's list contained some more sterotypical "manly" tasks like- "Barbcue", "Drive a stick shift", "Open a beer bottle when you can't find an opener" and "Identify all NFL teams by helmet logo". There were some nice suprises like "Be a responsible husband, father, partner" and "Raise children to become responsible, productive citizens".

It is interesting to compare these three lists. The Popular Mechanics list was written specifically for their audience- men. Most of the skills enumerated on this list would appeal to the traditional man. The Oregonian's two lists are a little more reflective of the reality of the role of today's man. We now realize that a dad has just as much impact on the way his child turns out as the mom. We know that dads will have to change diapers. Men must "balance work and family" to survive. It is great that skills like barbecuing and opening a beer bottle without an opener are still important but I am glad to see that both men and women recognize that men don't have to have all the answers and the ability to ask for help is a virtue. So what do you think makes a manly man?