Manhood in the Making by David Gilmor

To understand the diversity of gender roles in the world, one must understand all of the cultures behind their construction. Yet, however vast the differences between cultures may be, gender roles seem to be defined fairly similarly across cultures. In most societies, women do work conducive to child care such as gathering food and raising cattle. These activities allow mothers to stay close to the home and care for their children. Therefore, men perform the work that requires distance from the home and physical strength. Just as women were biologically constructed for birth, men are biologically constructed for harder labor. This is why the distribution of labor in this manor is very natural. However, all societies do not place the same value on each gender's duties. This is the point at which gender becomes socially constructed.

In the book Manhood in the Making, David Gilmore explores how societies across the world define manhood. Specifically, he looks at manhood initiation rites as the basis for how manhood is constructed because the tests boys must endure in order to become men are reflections of what the society values as "manly". To find answers, Gilmore looks to examples of cultures from around the world and their views on what manhood should be. Gilmore attempts to explain to the reader that however diverse these societies may be in their rites of passage, they all construct manhood similarly.

All cultures Gilmore investigates require three basic things from men; procreate, protect, and provide. There are exceptions to the rule like anything, but generally these three elements hold cross-culturally. These are the essential elements that "make" a man, and therefore can be seen in the tests given during male initiation. First, the Mehinaku of South America exhibit their ability to procreate through their insatiable appetite for sex. Next, they prove their "manliness" through wrestling, signaling that if the occasion were to arise, they could protect themselves and their village. Finally, they display their ability to provide through hunting.