Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Men Explain Which Feminine Things They Wish Were More Socially Acceptable For Them To Do

Men Explain Which Feminine Things They Wish Were More Socially Acceptable For Them To Do
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

Unfortunately, we live in a world that is not without its prejudices. Take gender, for instance. While views on gender differ from society to society, generally speaking, there are certain expectations for men and women and those who step outside the norm risk social ostracization.

Men are told that they must be "strong" and are discouraged from sharing their emotions (which can lead to all sorts of problems down the road). Men who dress in more "feminine" styles of clothing or who use makeup also risk being mistreated by others around them.

Thankfully, it seems Western society is becoming largely more tolerant, not that it's not without its problems. Men shared their thoughts after Redditor AliciaJayne89 asked the online community,

"Men of Reddit; what do you wish was as acceptable for you to do as it is for women?"

"Honestly..."

"Complimenting people. Honestly, I get it, often when guys compliment women in particular it can be for ulterior motives, but sometimes I just want to say that someone's hair is pretty today without it being perceived as flirty."

MattyOldSpice

This is a big one. It doesn't help that men are conditioned not to do it (or shown how to do it in all the wrong ways).

"I've had nonstop glares..."

"Play with my son at the park. Or even be at the park with my son.

I've had nonstop glares from Karens, and overall been treated like I'm some type of predator. I'm just trying to take my little kiddo out for some fun, as he loves the slide to no end. Yet, I've had women call their kids to their sides, round them up and leave, and given the stare down endlessly. On one occasion, I was even interrogated by one of the mothers. I honestly couldn't believe how ridiculous it was.

Honestly it breaks my heart how just taking my son to the park to play has an endless sea of harassment bundled up into it."

ReallyBigAlligator

The prejudice is real. I imagine it is especially hard for men who work with children and have to train themselves not to get too close with them for fear that a parent might say something.

"I wish men could be..."

"I wish men could be more emotive with each other without it being a "gay" thing. Hugging isn't a sexual act."

Fvoltes

"As someone who works in an office..."

"As someone who works in an office, I would like to be able to go to work without a suit but still be "business casual." Jealous of my female colleagues that can wear blouses, etc. and abide by the dress code but I'm stuck with a suit and tie in 35 degrees Celsius."

PinkJester

The options women have appear endless! On the other hand, women are expected to rotate different outfits... so what's that about the grass always being greener?

"Staying at home..."

"Staying at home to take care of the kids and the house while my wife is at work."

UniqueMino

"Every time..."

"Be open and honest about our feelings, without being judged.

Every time I've felt comfortable enough to open up, it seems like that reduces how other people, women included, see you."

td8642

"I noticed..."

"I noticed it is more acceptable for women to be bisexual. My dad used to say that it was okay for a woman to be bi but embarrassing for men."

Dulapeep321

There are too many people out there––including within the LGBT community––who deny the existence of bisexuality and it's wrong.

"Other countries..."

"I'm American, I wish I had the same time off from work when my kid was born. I had to be back at work within two days. Other countries are way more generous with this than we are here in the good ol' USA."

ImWhatTheySayDeaf

When you read what the Nordic countries offer fathers, it's enough to make you bitter. Being able to spend time with your child should be a right.

"If a woman..."

"Being asexual and aromantic.

If a woman is a virgin into her 30s she is seen as independent and in control of her life. If a man is a virgin into his 30s, he is seen as a loser. Virgin men are treated as the lowest common denominator, while virgin women are shamed way WAY less."

CrazyCoKids

"Not being..."

"Not being the main decision-maker in the partnership. I think my girlfriend is def sharper than me, so I value her end-of-the-day opinion more than my own many times. But there's always a stigma of "oh I guess she's the one wearing the pants in that relationship."

angadb456

Gender inequality harms men and boys as much as it harms women and girls, as a 2019 Global Early Adolescent Study noted. It's important that men and boys be included in discussions about gender inequality if we wish to create a world where they won't be judged for doing something as harmless as expressing their emotions or wearing different clothing.

Have some suggestions and opinions of your own? Feel free to tell us about them in the comments below!

Want to "know" more? Never miss another big, odd, funny, or heartbreaking moment again. Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

dog and cat snuggling together
Krista Mangulsone on Unsplash

Times Pet Owners 'Severely Underestimated' Their Pets' Intelligence

I've lived with cats—because no one owns a feline—most of my life. Some have been very clever creatures while others were real dingbats.

Family members have owned dogs whose talents also ran the gamut.

Keep ReadingShow less
Scott Bessent
Meet the Press/NBC News

Scott Bessent Blasted Over His Bonkers Suggestion For How To Bring Your Own Inflation Rate Down

Continuing to follow the example of MAGA Republican President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent appeared on Meet the Press Sunday to blame Democratic President Joe Biden for the financial downturn caused by Trump's tariff fiasco, then lied repeatedly about the state of the economy.

Meet the Press host Kristen Welker played a clip of MAGA Republican Vice President JD Vance telling a conservative audience at a Breitbart News event that Americans owe the Trump administration "a little bit of patience"—apparently while they figure out what tariffs are and how they work since they're rolling back more of them to lower consumer prices despite claiming Trump's tariffs don't affect consumer prices.

Keep ReadingShow less
Lindsay Lohan attends the men's final during day fifteen of the 2025 US Open Tennis Championships at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Elsa/Getty Images

Lindsay Lohan Is Now Sporting A New Accent—And Fans Aren't Sure What To Make Of It

In a twist freakier than a sequel to Freaky Friday, Lindsay Lohan has debuted yet another new accent—this time at the Fashion Trust Arabia Awards in Doha, Qatar.

Draped in a maroon, jewel-trimmed gown by The New Arrivals Ilkyaz Ozel and accompanied by her husband, Bader Shammas, and their 2-year-old son, Luai, the actress looked serene, elegant, and completely unbothered by the collective whiplash she was about to inflict on the internet.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jameela Jamil
Gilbert Flores/Variety/Getty Images

Jameela Jamil Speaks Out Against The Rise Of The 'Aesthetic Of Emaciation' Among Women In Hollywood

Content Warning: eating disorders, thinness as an aesthetic, emaciation in Hollywood

There's no denying that we've been gifted with some incredible music, television shows, and films this year.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump; Screenshot of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker in "Rush Hour 2"
Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images; New Line Cinema

Trump Is Now Using His Presidential Sway To Pressure Studio Into Making 'Rush Hour 4'—And, Huh?

President Trump has reportedly pressured Paramount head Larry Ellison to make another sequel to Rush Hour, his favorite buddy-cop movie, as the company looks to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery.

The first Rush Hour film, starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, was released in 1998, received positive reviews, and made $245 million worldwide. Chan and Tucker returned for two sequels released in 2001 and 2007 respectively.

Keep ReadingShow less