History of Feminism
In reply to the discussion: If I Admit That ‘Hating Men’ Is a Thing, Will You Stop Turning It Into a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy? [View all]kjones
(1,059 posts)But misandry does exist in some capacity, and it does have tangible effects on some men's lives.
There are by no means as many ready examples as misogyny, but they exist.
For example, if I'm a man, I'm more likely to lose custody of my children in court. It's a systematic
bias because of the stereotypes that women are always loving mothers and men are bad fathers
who want nothing to do with their children.
Image. As a man, you are presented with just as many torturous expectations for body image
and personality as a woman is. There are direct parallels throughout. It's every bit as disruptive
to childhood development to push a girl along with the expectations of stereotypical womanhood
as it is to push a boy along with the expectations of stereotypical manhood.
Women and men models both get the airbush treatment in hollywood media, because after all,
our social collective (men and women) say that women should be skinny and buxom and
men must be lean and chiseled.
Ingrained "machismo" culture has led to many men and boys to take part in dangerous activities that
result in death or imprisonment. The "breadwinner" stereotype has led generations of men to toil
away at often very dangerous jobs. And of course, "real men" laugh at danger.
Leading to the most poignant example, lifespan. Men don't lose those extra years all because of
genetics, a "y" tacked on there. Some of that effect is because of dangerous behavior...behavior
which is a cultural expectation forced on males, in the same way expectations are forced on females.
I do not excuse misogynistic behavior, it's unacceptable in a modern society. I do not condone any
victimization or undue pressure placed on any group of people.