Men Roles In Hinduism

      In classical Hinduism there are particular dharmas or duties for individuals according to their standing in society. Specific expectations also developed concerning one’s sex, resulting in different patterns of life for men and women. Regulations formulated in Hinduism prescribe particular stages of life to be followed by upper caste men and women. The “Student Stage”, is referred as Ashrama , which begins when the boy is initiated into the “twice born” through a special ritual in which he would receive a sacred thread. This thread signifies his standing as an upper caste member. The household stage is when he enters the household in his early twenties. During this time, the young man would rise a family, establish himself financially independent and as a responsible contributor to society. The third and fourth stage for men goes beyond the household stage. These final two Ashramas pertain to the pursuit of religious objectives. The third stage, the “forest dweller”, a man and his wife move to a more modest dwelling, usually to the edge of a village near a forest. They begin to withdraw from active social life in order to become more introspective and devoted to the life of the spirit. The fourth stage is a stage of rigour and austerity that few men would embark upon. When a man enters this stage, he renounces his former identity and everything associated with it for example, his name, his wife and family and all material goods. He performs no rituals, no work, and subsists only on the generosity of others.

  I felt this was more interesting than other roles of men in other religions. I felt like the responsibility of men in Hinduisms goes beyond the usually which is, the men of the household, leading the family, hardworking and strong. Men have to go through certain stages in the Laws of Manu, which is quite different than other religions. I felt it was more serious and spiritual than other men roles. I feel man are seen really high in Hinduism and have to prepare for the real world and families when they’re growing up. 

"Hinduism Beliefs." The Role of Men in Hinduism. Hinduism Belief, n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2013.