| Boyhood Fort | Man Cave |
| Who's allowed | Not girls—they have cooties | Not women—they have authority |
| Primary materials used in construction | Wood, stuff your mom doesn't want | Particleboard, stuff your wife doesn't want |
| Key activities inside | Goofing around, avoiding responsibility | Goofing around, avoiding responsibility |
| Peak periods of use | After school, weekends | After work, weekends |
| Slumber parties with buddies? | Yes | No |
| Food and beverages consumed | Soda and unhealthy snacks | Beer and unhealthy snacks |
| Spend the night inside? | Not as a habit, but it's been known to happen | Not as a habit, but it's been known to happen |
| Money spent on space | As little as possible | As much as possible |
| Is this a phase you will outgrow? | Yes | No |
