"Boys will be boys." | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

9 More Reasons Men Should Shut Up With Their Toxic Masculinity, In Case You Needed More

Toxic masculinity is no accident.

388
man with back to camera wearing sunglasses

Content warning: sexual harassment and discussions on toxic masculinity.

This topic has been luring over my head for quite some time. So I thought it was time to address it as difficult as it is. We all know the saying "boys will be boys" or other quotes along the lines that justify men disrespecting women, whether it is just teasing or bullying in school, or sexual harassment.

Quite frankly, I don't care what you have to say in attempt to defend boys like them.

By saying "Boys will be boys" or a similar phrase, you subtly justify toxic masculinity. It tells women that toxic masculinity is normal. It prevents men from holding themselves accountable. It sends a message to men that it is okay to objectify women.

Read below for some examples of toxic masculinity, to prevent or correct yourself in the future.

"Boys will be boys."

No, boys will not be boys. This does not help a woman being objectified and disrespected by a "man."

By continuing to say "boys will be boys" or similar quotes, you are enabling toxic masculinity.

Engaging in sexual harassment. 

In high school, I had my back turned to a group of boys as I was looking at a test review. This group who frequently harassed me (and threw coins at me another occasion), whistled at me. My teacher did nothing.

In college, a guy in an organization I used to be a member of ogled me at an event. I reported him to leadership, although I was hesitant. While leadership created a harassment policy, not much else was done.

A few months after the incident, he was elected as a leader for the next semester.

Others cared more about how trustworthy he was, rather than him objectifying a fellow member of the organization.

The more I look back on incidents like those, the more disturbing it gets.

Observing sexual harassment and doing nothing. 

Watching toxic masculinity happen while doing nothing enables toxic masculinity. I guarantee if you had a daughter, and someone was sexually harassing her, there is NO WAY you would just let it happen.

Blaming the victim.

It is never the victim's fault. EVER.

Telling the victim to "ignore them."

Stop placing expectations on the person getting harassed in the first place.

Expect boys to hold themselves accountable, and tell them to not do it in the first place.

"Guys like what they see."

Just no. A guy " liking what he sees" does not warrant ogling a girl.

People have more self-control over what they see than you think.

"Not all guys are like that."

Why yes, you're absolutely right. Except your timing of that response is absolutely terrible.

It dismisses the issue of toxic masculinity at hand, but thanks for trying to sympathize.

"It's not just guys."

Right again. But toxic femininity isn't the issue of discussion, either.

Feel free to write an article about it or have a separate conversation with me if you're so passionate about it, though.

"They're just teasing."

Just stop right there. Last I checked, decent men don't disrespect girls. Harassment is not teasing. It's toxic.

Toxic masculinity is no accident. If you were offended while reading this, you are part of the problem.

Report this Content
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

444623
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

18147
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

42394
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21784
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

322204
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments