You searched for masculinity - Page 4 of 16 - Everyday Feminism

Some detrimental cultural ideals run so deep that no one even questions whether they might operate as support beams of status quo oppression. Let’s take the word “bitch” for example. As an exercise in identifying some potentially hibernating connotations that can perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes, here are a few common uses of the word “bitch” and their problematic subtexts.

If you grew up in the United States, it is almost inevitable that you’ve been subject to a few standard aphorisms. These include things like: “Anyone can make it here if they try hard enough,” “Nothing worth having comes easy,” “Hard work pays off,” “Winners never quit, and quitters never win,” and “Success is no…

What’s white male fragility? Take a look at our president-elect and you’ll have a good idea. Here’s what we’re up against.

Before you jump in with “Women do it, too!” or “It’s no big deal,” check out this info on how male entitlement relates to much bigger issues. We see #2 around here a lot.

Here’s a lesson for any cause: If we don’t get to the root of the issue, all we’re doing is pulling some individuals to safety while losing others. In combatting sexual violence, we must work to help survivors heal, seek justice, and find the new normal in their life, but that cannot be our only work. We must prevent sexual violence before it happens. But how do we do that? What does it look like?

We are yin and yang — seemingly oppositional forces that are actually complementary and interconnected.

One person holding another's head down, condescendingly

Feeling as if she needed to prove her own lesbianism outwardly, this author adopted the male gaze. Here’s her story of how she became one of the boys – and not shockingly, a very poor one – and how we can all do better to respect the women in our lives.

The author and their partner, smiling

“Would you still love me if…?” This is hard for some people to understand – so here’s an insider’s view that sheds a fascinating light on a relationship with a partner who transitions.

Macho culture can be deadly, particularly for women. But it’s both naïve and harmful to ignore the ways these ideas about masculinity hurt men. Here are four ways.

As with all other systems of oppression, rape culture is a beast with tentacles and spores across countless other facets of inequality. The following 3 things may not appear to be major components of rape culture at first glance, but undoubtedly fuel and are fueled by it. Dismantling and addressing these things must be part of our movement to end rape culture.

“Boys don’t play with dolls.” How can we address the patriarchy’s impact on men? The first step is to recognize how it harms them – and this video captures 70 years of toxic messages around masculinity. What would you add to the list?

It’s the favorite advice of patriarchal misogynists everywhere: “Man up.” (See also: “Grow a pair,” “Be a man,” and “Stop acting like a girl.”) This phrase presents a view of masculinity that is oppressive to not just women and gender non-conforming people, but to men as well. Check out Guante’s kick*ss poem with ten ways to respond to this so-called “advice.”

Is there a “right” way to be non-binary? That’s what these comments might make you think – but here’s why these ideas about gender are missing the mark.

If you can relate to this author’s sense of loss, you may have experienced gender dysphoria. These strategies can help.

Close-up on a child who has a distressed facial expression.

“I thought I was weak.” Growing up, this author was told they were a boy, and to “act like one.” Here are some of the painful ways society pushes boys, men, and people who identify with masculinity away from mental health care.

Person is overwhelmed and confused

So you know that some people are non-binary – but do you know that these common (and harmful) myths about them are false?

Person blocking their ears, frustrated

“How do two women have sex?” Talk about intrusive! Even if you mean well, such questions can be insensitive – here’s why.

A couple is standing, facing one another; only their legs are shown

What century are we in again? Tired gender roles still hold a lot of us back in the dating world, but here’s why they don’t have to.

(Trigger warning: Rape) Check out this TED Talk by activist Tony Porter about how the expectations of masculinity and restrictive gender roles lead to disrespect of and violence against women. He shares powerful stories from different points in his life and encourages men to act outside of the narrow box that society places them in.

WAIT – if MRAs are so anti-feminist, then how can we agree with their points? Here’s where men’s rights activists are on the right track – and what they’re missing.