Picture compliments of Strawberry Singh
"Real man characteristics help in your romantic relationships, too. Women are inclined to choose men with certain masculine traits. These traits are hardwired in the female brain to signal a potential partner with good genes. Someone who can provide and protect. Most women don’t view “weak” men as potential love partners and are generally less interested in them. After all, and if it’s true that opposites attract, it only makes sense. A feminine, fragile, and sensitive woman wants to find balance in someone who can provide what she lacks and make her feel safe." - Nasos @ https://kinginprogress.com/definition-of-a-real-man/
Okay, but wait, there's more, if you are a strong, intelligent, educated woman with a better than average sense of self-awareness, sharing your time with an equally balanced man (or woman) can be just as beautiful and enduring. In this regard, Second Life provides all types of men (and women) who may lead to that amazing connection many are looking for in a mate!
The answer is "yes," yes there are many "real men" in Second Life. SL is a lot like real life when it comes to relationships and, pretty much as you'd expect, not every man (or woman) you meet is going to check all of your mental boxes of criteria. However, I personally know of *8 couples who have gone the extra mile (or thousands of miles) to marry in real life. Of course, meeting in real life may be out of the question for so many valid reasons yet romance in Second life can be just as fulfilling and enduring as a real-life relationship.
I was married in SL for 7 years happily and it was beautiful. Why did it end? We both decided that real life was more important. I was raising a teen alone, and she became engaged. The seven years, however, were deep, profound, loving, exciting, and fulfilling. It worked out for both of us. (I prefer not to divulge my current status for privacy reasons)
There is something to be said for Second Life that cannot be said for real-life: People actually have to talk (or type) in full conversations, revealing their innermost landscapes and baring them to those they care most about. This is a plus that gives people a chance to really get to know each other on a deeper level. It's kind of like "give a man a mask and he'll tell you the truth"...only it's so much more: space, comfort, safety, anonymity, and the heart will open its vault doors.
So, bottom line, yes, there are lots of great men in Second Life, you just have to have your filters on. In many ways, these matches (after lots of time and feeling safe) are made in the heaven you create together!
Obviously, simply put, what we mean is: There are real men and not women just playing men in Second Life! (Although, that happens, too)
* Correction: I know 8 people, 4 couples who have married from SL to RL!
Note: There have been some questions and comments regarding this post which highlights the need to add this: A real man is anyone the woman (or man) says is a "real man." Whether or not a man is physically, mentally or emotionally challenged does not preclude him from the "real man" title. Every person is unique! What does include a man into the "real man" category is his character, integrity, openness, willingness to "tell the whole story," connectability, empathy, and a good heart. Regardless of your RL circumstances, SL can and does give almost everyone the opportunity to uncover, discover and reveal humanity and their own journey!
