We often miss an important part of the picture when we talk about discrimination—how guys suffer. If we want to build a world that’s fair for everyone, we need to understand the struggles faced by both genders. Here are ten ways society gives guys a tougher time than you might think. Guys suffer just as much as women do and we have to fight sexism of all forms for a truly equal society.
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No Health Checks
Guys usually avoid doctors because society tells them they need to tough out health issues. This fear of not being masculine makes many men skip out on regular health check-ups or ignore mental health struggles that cause serious problems down the road. Honestly, it’s a big reason why men often have shorter lifespans than women.
School’s Out for Boys
The old-school idea that boys should be more about action than academics has led to fewer guys aiming for higher education. Really, it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy—there are fewer male role models in teaching, especially for younger children, because of this belief. Changing the narrative here would really help boys see themselves in all kinds of futures.
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Dad’s Day in Court
In terms of custody battles, dads often feel like they’re starting five steps behind because of the lingering stereotype that moms are naturally better caregivers. This makes it hard for dads to receive fair treatment in court. It’s high time we recognized that dads are just as nurturing as parents as mothers are.
The Danger Zone
Men tend to do most of the riskier jobs, like construction, mining & firefighting. Guys are usually on the frontlines, although not because of choice—it’s societal expectations pushing men into dangerous work without enough discussion about the risks they’re taking. We seriously need to improve safety measures and give more support to the men in these roles.
Toughing Out the Tough Times
There’s a nasty stigma around men showing any kind of vulnerability—especially with mental health. The whole “man up” mentality is seriously harmful and makes it hard for guys to reach out when they’re struggling. Tragically, it’s one of the main causes of the higher suicide rate among men. We have to make it okay for everyone to talk about their feelings.
Selective Service
In America, only guys have to sign up for the Selective Service when they turn 18 which suggests that only men can serve in this way. It’s certainly a one-sided expectation. Regardless of how you feel about conscription, it’s time we made the conversation around national service more equal.
Harsher Penalties for Being a Guy
When men & women commit the same crime, guys often end up with tougher sentences. Why? Because there’s an automatic assumption that men are more dangerous or less capable of change. Such a bias in the justice system reinforces harmful stereotypes and makes reintegration into society even harder for men.
When Men Are the Victims
Domestic violence is a terrible reality for many and while women are often the victims, men can be too. But there’s a double standard here. Male victims usually face disbelief or ridicule from this belief. Sadly, it becomes much harder to even look for help let alone get help. It creates a cycle of silence & suffering.
Problematic Parental Leave
The way we handle parental leave often assumes women will be the primary caregivers, which massively shortchanges men who want to be hands-on parents. It also reinforces outdated gender roles. As such, we should make parental leave more flexible so that everyone, no matter their gender, can balance work & family life better.
The Pressure to Provide
Even with the strides we’ve made towards equality, men are under pressure to be the main or sole providers. It’s rather difficult to deal with this stress—especially when the economy’s not doing so great. Worse still, such an expectation also limits women’s roles & contributions to family finances.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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