manhood

manhood has four dictionary definitions. (1) Do not use it to mean "the condition of being human"; this is a pseudogeneric. A useful and popular alternative is personhood. (2) Do not use "manhood" to mean "human beings"; this is also a pseudogeneric. (3) When you are referring to manly qualities in a man, its use is correct although your sentence will almost always benefit from more specific words: pride, self-confidence, vigor, strength, courage, maturity. (4) Use "manhood" anytime to mean the condition of being an adult male human being ("womanhood" is the parallel term). See also Man/man ("generic"), man (adult male human), mankind.