Give Guys a Break
We often hear about all the injustices women continue to face. We won't lie, there are a ton: cat-calling, unfair pay, and the expectation of motherhood are just the tip of the iceberg. But let’s face it—men are held to some pretty insane standards, too. From constant stoicism to assuming none of them can cook, plenty of harmful stereotypes paint an unflattering image, and we’re here to end them once and for all.
1. They’re Poor Fathers
From sitcoms to made-for-TV movies, men are often portrayed as bumbling fools with no parenting skills. Worst still, they're sometimes questioned for taking care of their own children, drawing suspicious looks at playgrounds. It’s a pretty harmful stereotype when you think about it, especially because plenty of children are raised in loving homes.
2. They Only Want One Thing
Not every man is out for the boudoir. In fact, most want a legitimate connection before hopping into bed with anyone. It’s a little exhausting to constantly get portrayed as a horn dog with nothing else to their personality.
3. They’re Always Aggressive
Aggression is a real concern, but not every man is itching to throw hands with someone. Many are perfectly content to ignore toxic displays of masculinity or use their words to resolve problems. Not only that, but plenty of guys find the whole "macho" thing embarrassing, too!
4. They Love Fixing Things
Take it easy, Tim the “Toolman.” It’d be nice to have a handyman on standby, but a lot of guys have no interest in building birdhouses—even more are just as confused by manuals as the rest of us.
5. They Can’t Have Certain Hobbies
While we’re on the topic of hobbies, let men have theirs! Sure, some guys enjoy hitting the gym, but a lot of other dudes love to paint, garden, or knit in their spare time. It’s high time we accepted hobbies without assigning gender roles.
6. They’re Constantly Brave
Fear is a very human emotion, and it’s one men are just as capable of experiencing. Though we turn to men in terrifying situations, that stereotype perpetuates the idea that they can’t be afraid like the rest of us. It also feeds into the belief that men can't show emotion.
7. They’re Likely to Cheat
Devoted men stick by their partners, yet this nasty stereotype says otherwise. Though some stats report men cheat more often, the numbers are closer than you think between men and women. Either way, it's important to get that so-called research out of your mind.
8. They Don’t Listen
Here's another overdone trope we constantly see in movies and sitcoms! Alright, we'll admit it: some guys might miss a couple of details here and there, but they're also more than happy to listen to their partners. Give them the benefit of the doubt before immediate assumptions.
9. They Can’t Cook
For the longest time, women were seen as the primary caregivers—that included everything from child-rearing to cooking. In today’s day and age, men are quite the home chefs, whipping up meals as househusbands or simply for therapeutic reasons.
10. They Can’t Show Emotions
Men are caught between a rock and a hard place sometimes. They’re encouraged to show more vulnerability and then get ostracized for doing so. We’d love to live in a world that validates everyone’s emotions.
11. They “Wear the Pants”
It’s thankfully not the ‘50s anymore, which means no one “wears the pants” in a relationship. There’s no competition in a true partnership, and it’s strange to crown either party as the “boss.” It's all about equality, folks!
12. They’re Gym Bros
Believe it or not, some men couldn’t care less about the gym. They might work out occasionally or have a good walk around the neighborhood, but they aren’t pumping iron every spare minute of the day. It's not the most "harmful" stereotype, but it's definitely one of the more annoying.
13. They All Have the Same Interests
Men are just as complex as the rest of us—we should stop assuming they share the same interests. As we just mentioned, not every guy will get along with a gym rat. Others won't watch the same shows. They're adults, not babies, so you can't just stick husbands in a room and assume they'll all watch football!
14. They Have No Insecurities
While women experience more societal pressure than man, that doesn’t mean guys are free and clear. From their height to their weight, plenty of boys feel the heat from unfair beauty standards. If anything, sometimes it can feel like their very real issues are swept under the rug.
15. They Don’t Like Baths
For some reason, society decided one day that men hate baths. A quick shower was more than enough and wanting candles or bubbles for themselves was effeminate. False! Men don’t mind a good soak from time to time.
16. They’re Always in the Mood
No good comes from this stereotype—the assumption is dangerous, unfair, and incorrect. Men are well within their rights to say no without fear of ridicule. The sad reality is, some men play into the stereotype, even if only in the beginning of a relationship, to avoid any upset.
17. They Shouldn’t Drink “Girly” Drinks
Put down the beer, fellas. This is a safe space and we recognize how delicious “girly” drinks are. Someone get their man a pink cocktail with a little umbrella!
Teresa Martínez González on Unsplash
18. They Don’t Have Mental Health Struggles
Unfortunately, a lot of men are taught pretty early to bury their feelings. It's that very feeling that can drive them to deal with problems alone. But anyone can suffer from mental illness; it’s important to recognize the legitimacy of mental health and offer help to those in need, men included.
19. They Can’t Be Harmed
It’s never okay to touch or harass anyone, and that goes for men, too. They don’t like getting grabbed at the bar or listening to inappropriate comments. Everyone deserves to have their boundaries respected!
20. They Have to be Well-Endowed
It’s time to end the “average size” debate. Thanks to adult entertainment and online jokes, it’s expected that all men pack significant heat. Well, the average size is far smaller than what some would have you believe—and there’s literally nothing wrong with that.
