Tomboy is a term used for girls or young women with masculine traits. It can include wearing androgynous or unfeminine clothing and engaging in physical sports or other activities and behaviors usually associated with boys or men.
The Tomboy, 1873 painting by John George Brown
Army recruited men for the American Civil War, leaving the women behind to take care of the "left duties of men."
Feminist Suffrage Parade in New York City, 1912
Tomboy is often a phase of gender presentation in childhood. It is not a true indicator of sexual orientation or future gender display.
Masculinity is a set of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with men and boys. Masculinity can be theoretically understood as socially constructed, and there is also evidence that some behaviors considered masculine are influenced by both cultural factors and biological factors. To what extent masculinity is biologically or socially influenced is subject to debate. It is distinct from the definition of the biological male sex, as anyone can exhibit masculine traits. Standards of masculinity vary across different cultures and historical periods.
In Roman mythology, Mars was the god of war and masculinity.[dubious – discuss]
Lewis Hine's photo of a power house mechanic working on a steam pump
Odysseus, hero of the Odyssey
Beowulf fighting the dragon
![In Roman mythology, Mars was the god of war and masculinity.[dubious – discuss]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/0_Statue_de_Mars_%28Pyrrhus%29_-_Musei_Capitolini_-_MC0058_%282%29.JPG/343px-0_Statue_de_Mars_%28Pyrrhus%29_-_Musei_Capitolini_-_MC0058_%282%29.JPG)
