SOCIETY AND STEREOTYPES
What Gender Stereotypes Men Wish Society Just Lets Go
Have you ever noticed how men are depicted on TV shows and in movies? You might see the dad sitting on the couch watching TV, or the son playing video games in his messy room. And what about the tough guys? They’re often shown drinking beer at a bar. These images can lead to stereotypes about men, which can affect their lives in many ways.
Unfortunately, a lot of male gender stereoypes have caused them to be overlooked and undateable.
If you’ve ever talked to a man about what gender norms he’d like to see disappear? Here are a few things he might say:
1. Men are slobs and untidy.
There’s no evidence that men are messier than women. In fact, plenty of men keep a clean house. Society has historically put the responsibility of cleaning on women, so some people assume that men don’t care about cleanliness. But there are plenty of men who are neat and tidy.
2. Men can’t be assaulted or violated.
Over 40% of domestic violence victims are men. Many men who are abused by their partners don’t speak up because they’re afraid of being seen as weak. And while society may tolerate a woman slapping a man, it’s just as wrong as the opposite. Anyone can be a victim of sexual assault.
3. Men can’t cook.
Some people assume that men can’t cook, but that’s not true. Cooking is a skill that anyone can learn, regardless of gender. Some of the best chefs in the world are men, and plenty of men enjoy cooking for their families.
4. Feminine men aren’t competent.
It’s unfair to judge a man’s competence based on his masculinity. Men who are considered “feminine” can be just as competent as those who are “tough.” Emotional intelligence is just as important as physical strength.
5. Real men drink alcohol.
Drinking doesn’t make you more of a man. Some men don’t drink, and that’s okay. Society shouldn’t pressure men to drink alcohol in order to fit in.
6. Men who show emotion are weak.
Men shouldn’t be pressured to hide their emotions. It’s unhealthy to suppress feelings, and it can cause problems in relationships. Men who are in touch with their emotions are often better communicators and partners.
7. Men are not good babysitters.
Being a good babysitter has nothing to do with gender. Anyone who is caring, reliable, and trustworthy can be a great babysitter. Men can be just as nurturing as women, and should be encouraged to be involved in parenting.
Gender stereotypes shouldn’t put men in a box and limit them from what they can do. Each person is more than their gender. A mother can be a firm disciplinarian, a father can be a nurturer.
Men are not robots who are only designed for hard skills. If women really want to be with a quality man, then they need to let go of the stereotypes and him for what he’s really worth.
