What makes a boy a man? What defines a Man?

Question

Is it to make alot of money? To have a "successful" career? To be independent? Among things which most guys strive for in order to achieve what they believe makes them a Man? Does this all really define a Man? or is there something else?

Answer 1

as a girl who is not yet a woman

a boy who is now a man has overcome a change, they go from being selfish and it all about them, to wanting to provide for families and friends

thats why a 12 year old can be a man

and a 40 year old cant

its in a mans nature to want to hunt and gather and protect the tribe

it was the child job to be looked after and work because they had to

when a man starts to look after others in my opinion he is a man

Answer 2

Being over 18. All other is just my values forced on others

Answer 3

If you can keep your head when all about you

Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,

If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you

But make allowance for their doubting too,

If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,

Or being lied about, don't deal in lies,

Or being hated, don't give way to hating,

And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream--and not make dreams your master,

If you can think--and not make thoughts your aim;

If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster

And treat those two impostors just the same;

If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken

Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,

Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,

And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings

And risk it all on one turn of pitch-and-toss,

And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breath a word about your loss;

If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew

To serve your turn long after they are gone,

And so hold on when there is nothing in you

Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,

Or walk with kings--nor lose the common touch,

If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;

If all men count with you, but none too much,

If you can fill the unforgiving minute

With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,

Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,

And--which is more--you'll be a Man, my son!

--Rudyard Kipling  

Answer 4

The transition comes when a boy finds something larger than himself to dedicate his life and efforts to.  It could be his family, a creative goal, a profession, anything really but the key is that he acts not for himself but for something over and beyond self.

It has nothing to do with money or fame.