Usually, it is men who are blamed for gatekeeping masculinity; deciding what is, or is not appropriately “manly”, and indeed, what makes “a real man”. Those who watch Andrew Tate’s insane diatribes, and contortions of masculine performance are right to think this. But again, the picture is not complete. Because – ask any man – and he’ll tell you, women too project onto men their own toxic expectations of masculinity, often no less harmful, and equally as absurd. Wearing an apron, caring for kids, having cats, cooking and cleaning for oneself, crying after a breakup, declining sex, drugs, or alcohol, buying scented candles… The list of things that somehow make you not a man, deserves to be spoken about, and frankly, mocked, because let’s be honest – manly or not, these are the things that make life worth living… So, buy your candles, braid your child’s hair, cook with an apron, and feed the birds; because a real man doesn’t let anyone define his value, other than himself. So guys – what have you been told stops you from being “a real man?” What do you think? #mensmentalhealth

2025-03-07