Many of us often get overwhelmed by the traditional patriarchal gender system; women being the ones getting hurt the most and attempting to correct their situations by advocating feminism. But guess who needs feminism too? Men.
Our beloved alpha male; tall, strong, hypersexual and takes pride in objectifying women. He may enjoy this quite alright, but beyond all the reprobate exterior, this man has been psychologically damaged a lot more than you’d ever think.
In a society that makes it a point to boss everyone individually about what to do with their lives and how to shape their personalities, no one is happy nor safe.
Facts are: men need feminism. Because aggressiveness and violence shouldn’t be regarded as obligatory characteristics in any male persona, and no one should have to suffer molding themselves within the realms of this abhorrent criteria, or deal with anyone displaying it. Because coercing men to adopt a lifestyle of macho, simplistic life decisions beyond their comfort zones is just as bad as pushing women to have to deal with it. Because men shouldn’t feel abashed of their interests if they happen to be associated with being “girly”. Because the social expectations of men objectifying women, having sex with hundreds of women, and being sexually aggressive towards them should not be implemented, and no one should be made to feel bad about themselves if they choose not to follow them.
Men are shamed when they manifest emotions. Statistically women are 3 times as often diagnosed with depression because men display an error in reporting their cases, amongst other reasons. Men are commonly told to “deal” with their depression themselves, and aren’t reinforced to talk about their feelings or admit they have a problem in the way women are, another product of the remarkable patriarchy.
Many of what the society points to as being the definitive rules of manhood and masculinity pose as a testimony to the ambivalent nature of the societal standards of what it’s like to be a man.
Feminism aims to help all genders fight the dogmas of a society that restrains all potential to improve oneself; a society that tells you what a man and a woman should be and punishes you if you act otherwise. It aspires to give men the freedom to explore life beyond the boundaries of masculinity and give them the chance to make choices that correlate and align their dreams.
