There's Something Absolutely Wrong With What We Do To Boys Before They Grow Into Men

[BainsBane]

An example of how patriarchy oppresses men.

"Be a man" is something we've all heard at one time or another, even a few of the women reading this right now. Being a "man" in that sense means something completely different to me (and maybe you, too) than what that phrase implies.

I can't even begin to describe the toll that the concept of masculinity has taken on my life. And it's felt everywhere. It's time we make changes, starting from within ourselves.

http://www.upworthy.com/theres-something-absolutely-wrong-with-what-we-do-to-boys-before-they-grow-into-men?c=gt1

[ismnotwasm]

1. Yup

[cinnabonbon]

2. All the more reason

for them to help us dismantle it. Might do everyone some good.

(Seriously though, I love sensitive men and it bothers me a lot that many are pressured to become "hard".)

[redqueen]

3. There is a growing number of men working to change this.

Sadly they're fighting against many other men who are either fine with the way things are, or whose priority is not changing this, but simply blaming women and feminists in particular for this problem.

[cinnabonbon]

4. They should be our allies

in this struggle. It is good that they are standing up to other men about it, because I know it can be hard to be the person who does that. But I know from (cynical) experience that a lot of men will only listen to common sense if it comes from another man. So if they continue to speak up, more men might join the cause.

I am so tired of the people who blame women for the world's ills.