männer

Männer is the German plural noun for adult male humans; the singular is Mann, and the feminine equivalent is Frau. In German, as in many languages, the term is used to refer to men broadly, as well as to individual men when used with definite or indefinite articles or demonstratives.

Biological perspective: In humans, sex is typically determined by chromosomes; most individuals designated male have one X and one Y chromosome. Males typically develop male primary and secondary sexual characteristics under the influence of androgens. However, sex and gender are distinct, and there are intersex individuals and diverse gender identities that do not conform to traditional male roles.

Cultural and social aspects: Conceptions of what it means to be a man vary across cultures and historical periods. Social roles, expectations, and ideals of masculinity have evolved, influenced by religion, law, and social movements such as gender equality. Not all men share the same characteristics or life experiences; race, class, sexuality, and disability intersect with gendered expectations.

Demographics and health: In many countries, men constitute roughly half of the population but show higher mortality rates in some age ranges and specific health risks, such as higher rates of certain risk-taking behaviors, occupational hazards, and certain diseases. Life expectancy for men is typically shorter than for women in many populations, though this gap is narrowing in some places with improved health care and changing lifestyles.

Usage and culture: The term appears in literature, music, film, and media, sometimes as a focus of sociological analysis of masculinity, or simply as the ordinary referent for adult men in the German language. The term is also used in plural form in phrases like “Männer arbeiten” or “unter Männer.”