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Putting ourselves in someone else’s shoes can be a great way to think about what challenges they face and how they shape others.
Some of these challenges might be very basic, while others are more challenging and can affect how we lead our lives or interact with others.
Someone asked, “Women, what do you think would be the worst thing about being a man?”.
Here’s what women had to say about what they thought would be the worst part of being a man, whether it seems silly or a very well-thought-out and serious contribution.
#1. It’s More Difficult for Guys to Get Dates
The advent of online dating and its increased presence in our society has undoubtedly leveled the playing field regarding getting dates.
However, some women who look at dating dynamics regarding in-person interactions believe it’s more difficult for men to get dates.
While times are changing, many men still expect to make the first move, which could be difficult for some and even more difficult if they aren’t sure whether or not a woman is showing interest.
#2. The Expectation That Men Would Welcome Confrontation and Fight (Being Alert and Protective)
Many men see men as the protector, meaning that if they find themselves in any situation where self-defense is necessary, the man in a group should jump in and fight and protect.
The problem? Not all men know how to fight, have the physique to fight off a threat, or believe that the best way to manage such a situation would be responding with violence.
If a threat arises, others expect men to respond by acting as the defender of the person or group they’re with.
#3. The Doubt That a Child Might Not Be Theirs
Some women pointed out that, should they become pregnant, they never have to worry about whether or not the child is theirs.
Men, on the other hand, might not know.
This can be troubling if they have a sneaking suspicion that a partner might be cheating on them or if their child comes out with features that make the child look nothing like them.
There are certainly stories where men have discovered that their child wasn’t theirs years after the fact, which can always be a life-changing revelation.
#4. Not Having Your Emotions Taken Seriously or Validated
Some aspects of how society treats men or expects them to act can harm their development and impact how they navigate daily life.
One thing that women pointed out is how men are expected not to have feelings.
Men are supposed to be stoic and never express themselves in ways considered weak.
Moreover, if they do reveal that they have feelings, these feelings might be laughed off by others, criticized and ridiculed, and remain invalidated.
This could lead some to push their feelings down so that they never come up and turn to emotions that are considered acceptable, like rage and aggression, or even adopt destructive coping mechanisms like heavy drinking to avoid feelings.
#5. The Stigma That Comes With Being Present in a Child’s Life
For this mention, we’re talking about the specific issue of others seeing men as a potential threat when they’re around a child.
For some, seeing men engage with children or be around spaces where children play makes certain people uncomfortable.
Of course, many women see this as ridiculous, as men should be able to take care of children in their careers or be around children when they have their own children.
However, that doesn’t mean that will change how people tick today.
#6. Being Considered a Possible Threat by Strangers
On the other end of the spectrum, people think men are a threat even when they’re not around children.
Women talked about how men are always seen as aggressive and could snap and hurt someone immediately.
Some men even shared their own experiences of their treatment around others.
One man was pepper sprayed by someone when they were on a run because they got too close to a female jogger on the street.
While some people might be justified in their caution, it still doesn’t make others feel better as they go about their lives.
#7. Being Expected to Be Better at Physical Labor and Always Do More Dangerous Work
Let’s face it; it’s a common stereotype that men know how to do dangerous, dirty work and will be more than ready or willing to do so.
Some people see men as naturally good at picking up heavy things or tackling construction jobs simply because they’re men.
Others expect they will get their hands dirty with a car or fix the plumbing because that’s just something they believe men are supposed to know how to do.
The reality? Not everyone knows how to do those things or even wants to!
#8. Others Thinking That You Don’t Want to Be Involved With Your Family
Women have pointed out that their husbands or other dads they’ve seen encounter different treatment when they’re out with their children.
Some of society sees children as more of a burden to their fathers, believing that a man out with a child doesn’t want to be doing it and that the wife must be busy.
This is insulting and can affect a child’s relationship with their father if others view them as something their father doesn’t want to deal with.
Plenty of involved fathers take care of their children just as much as mothers do.
#9. Not Being Taken Seriously About Topics Like Being Inappropriately Touched
Some people believe certain things do not happen to men. One of them is sexual harassment.
Others do not take men seriously when they say someone else is inappropriately touching them.
One reason this might happen is that others believe men should be able to take care of themselves and put a stop to the situation if it happens to them.
Often, it’s due to a pervasive belief that men want this attention and should be lucky that they got it in the first place.
#10. Not Being Taken Seriously When It Comes to Abuse
Building off the previously mentioned point, few take men seriously when they say their partners are abusing them.
Men do and can experience domestic violence.
Sometimes, this goes on behind closed doors and does not get reported.
In other cases, abuse may happen in public, and no one may bat an eye because a man can handle themselves and deal with the situation.
Of course, if some retaliate, this could be equally problematic.
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This thread inspired this article.
Don Dulin is the founder and main author on Unfinished Success, a personal development website whose goal is to help you be the best you. By making small changes everyday to how you live life, you can live your best life. You can learn more about him here.