How We’re Keeping Men From Being Men

Maybe smashing the patriarchy means something else.

I have stood up for men a number of times in my writing which I am learning may not be a popular thing for a strong woman to do as those posts seem to fall completely flat.

Indeed, I am a male sympathizer.

It’s because, though the quantity may be lower than I’d like, I know a few truly great men. But they’re not amazing. Sorry guys. They’re not amazing because we don’t let them be.

There is a male posturing that is way too prevalent in our society. You see it everywhere. Watch TV for an hour and your going to see it.

Men are just as flooded with images of male “perfection” as women are inundated with unrealistic images of female “perfection.”

Yet, our outcry regarding skinny models in lingerie is far louder. As a matter of fact, male outcry is dead silent. Why? Because being annoyed at images of masculine perfection is, in and of itself, “not manly!”

These images of strength and masculinity are thrown in their faces. A set of ideals they need to meet. A checklist of male traits and, if they fall short, are ridiculed for it.

Fix the car. Earn the…