MOD NOTE: Please note the following part of the forum rules:
The initial OP posted below covers it well enough: the premise of this thread is that men's issues exist. Don't bother posting if you don't believe there is such a thing.
Here's hoping this isn't considered too redundant. I've noticed that our existing threads about sexism tend to get bogged down in Oppression Olympics or else wildly derailed, so I thought I'd make a thread specifically to talk about discrimination issues that disproportionately affect men.
No Oppression Olympics here, okay? No saying "But that's not important because women suffer X which is worse!" And no discussing these issues purely in terms of how much better women have it. Okay? If the discussion cannot meaningfully proceed without making a comparison to male and female treatment, that's fine, but on the whole I want this thread to be about how men are harmed by society and how we can fix it. Issues like:
- The male-only draft (in countries that have one)
- Circumcision
- Cavalier attitudes toward men's pain and sickness, AKA "Walk it off!"
- The Success Myth, which defines a man's desirability by his material success. Also The Myth of Men Not Being Hot, which denies that men can be sexually attractive as male beings.
- Sexual abuse of men.
- Family law.
- General attitudes that men are dangerous or untrustworthy.
I could go on making the list, but I think you get the idea.
Despite what you might have heard about feminists not caring about men, it's not true. I care about men. Patriarchy sucks for them as much as it sucks for women, in a lot of ways. So I'm putting my keyboard where my mouth is and making a thread for us to all care about men.
Also? If you're male and think of something as a men's issue, by golly that makes it a men's issue fit for inclusion in this thread. I might disagree with you as to the solution, but as a woman I'm not going to tell you you have no right to be concerned about it. No "womansplaining" here.
Edited by nombretomado on Dec 15th 2019 at 5:19:34 AM
I recently took my eldest for a full exam including a rectal exam to check for hemorrhoids and what not. We we in the waiting room, just chilling, and we were the only ones comfortable. He did ask me to come back with him simply because he didn't trust his English when it comes to medical terms.
I was very proud of him. Nothing was a big deal; he didn't squick out or anything. On the way home I commented on his poise and he just laughed. He explained that he loved the fact that he can have actual medical care and was just pleased that he could continue fighting safely. He explained he didn't understand why American men would be so intimidated by getting a prostate exam or checked because in his words, "You're more likely to be raped in Romania by someone pretending to be an official than in America. So what is there to fear?"
I find the difference of perspectives very fascinating. I am also very grateful he feels this way because he can be a good influence and encouragement for his little brothers when they are old enough to get checked and what not.
"Oh wait. She doesn't have a... Forget what I said, don't catch the preggo. Just wear her hat." - Question Marc
It does help to have a big bro who's all "dude: no big!". 
Party Crasher
There's an old silly joke here ralated to this. It basically boils down to: "If you have a prostate exam and like it, i've got bad news for you."
edited 30th Sep '14 11:54:21 AM by LogoP
It is sometimes an appropriate response to reality to go insane.
![[up]](https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/smiles/arrow_up.png "[up]"){kind=icon}
Oh does it ever! I have no idea what I would do without him!
I feel much more secure with encouraging my sons' confidence, esteem, and morals with a big brother who is just such a great man. I am grateful that the biggest doesn't feel like this is an obligation or a chore. Most men his age are wanting to move out and run away, while this one is content to stay if nothing else because he wants to be there for the younger set. The missus is on deployment again, so that could be a part of it too.
"Oh wait. She doesn't have a... Forget what I said, don't catch the preggo. Just wear her hat." - Question Marc
First male celebrity nudes leaked.
That's still as shitty as ever, but my first thought was literally...
"...Who...?"
A nice butterfly
George R.R. Martin should accidentally leak his nudes to see if people insist on stealing them more :P
It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
I'd certainly sneak screenshots of his word processing program. 
If only to check he's using the damned thing. 
edited 6th Oct '14 9:47:30 AM by Euodiachloris
Wouldn't that be Dylan Sprouse back in December 2013?
edited 6th Oct '14 12:03:57 PM by Shotguner159
I don't know who that person is or anything about that.
"Psssh. Even if you could catch a miracle on a picture any person would probably delete it to make space for more porn." - Aszur
One of the two brothers from the Suite Life. He had nudes leaked on December 15th 2013.
Still don't know who he is.
I'm just curious if this is going to be a bigger deal in the next few months. I am curious to see how men will react to it in general.
"Psssh. Even if you could catch a miracle on a picture any person would probably delete it to make space for more porn." - Aszur
Queen of Good Things, Honest
I don't think men, as a whole, will be overly concerned. Men distribute nude selfies of themselves with such regularity that women looking to meet people online have to put a disclaimer up begging for men not to send them photos of their genitals, and those disclaimers are still frequently ignored in large volumes.
edited 6th Oct '14 2:06:47 PM by TobiasDrake
My Tumblr. Currently liveblogging Haruhi Suzumiya and revisiting Danganronpa V3.
That's the icky part. I am not sure besides a wave of legal action against men what will change this perception.
That guy who won't take no for an answer with me? He's still going on. I may have to pull in the owner of the studio in on it if he doesn't leave me alone.
I'm not sure why men think this is okay, normal, or permitted. Of course, not all men do. But enough of them do that it's a problem for both men and women.
"Psssh. Even if you could catch a miracle on a picture any person would probably delete it to make space for more porn." - Aszur
A nice butterfly
Oh man. Naked selfies are the trick to a woman's heart and panties? Dangit, why did I not get that memo!
But yeah I too doubt anyone would care much about male celebrity nudes...why? I don't know. Wrestling stuff which is super popular is basically naked men already anyways XD
It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
Guys need to tell each other they love each other more VIDEO
I think this is a good thing. I tell my friends I love them often, mostly because I have had so many people die on me that I just rather my last words with them be ones of love, but I have noticed for men, telling someone they love them is often very difficult, even if they are a mother or a partner.
I would love if men felt more comfortable expressing love and loving relationships because if they are free to express more positive emotions, hopefully this will give men the safety net to start expressing more negative emotions in a healthier methods. You can be angry or scared. You can be sensitive and passionate as well. You are human and you deserve to express your humanity.
Male repression is very much a concern for me considering my son is having severe problems with anger and sadness that he has felt the need to bottle up and hide, mainly concerning his father's ill behaviors. Men learn from other men, so if we can help guys have more expressions, then hopefully we can set up an environment where boys will grow into this safety net and be stronger and happier for it.
"Psssh. Even if you could catch a miracle on a picture any person would probably delete it to make space for more porn." - Aszur
Visiting from the Hoag Galaxy
Yeah, that's one thing that's legitimately really sexist. I've been held up as an example of someone who has the "masculine behavior" of not showing emotions most of the time. I have aspergers. I don't show emotions because I don't really feel emotions most of the time. Or at least not to a noticeable level.
Expecting others who presumably have a more normal emotional spectrum to be able to do the same is a bad idea.
Not Three Laws compliant.
Nameless Hero
@Gabrael: yeah, it's really shi* that the only emotions men are allowed to show are rage and lust or simply being cold and distant. Especially for those like me who are cold but can't help it. Thankfully alongside attitudes changing old dogs can learn new tricks: my paternal granddad learnt to cry and otherwise show how he really felt without being ashamed.
edited 8th Oct '14 12:07:04 PM by OdinsLeftEye
The name's Axel. Wanna check out Aim 4 The Head, my Zombie Apocalypse spoof comic?: http://www.smackjeeves.com/comicprofile.php?id=138048
HGW XX/7
Bottling things up never works. Been there, done that, got the black dog T-shirt.
Neither does "no doc, I'm not taking drugs because I am STRONK man who need no Prozac".
edited 8th Oct '14 12:31:30 PM by Achaemenid
Schild und Schwert der Partei
A nice butterfly
Keep feeling fascination! Passion burning, love so strong!
But yeah, emotional expression or rather...lack thereof is as common as a bad analogy. Which is pretty common. Just in case.
I know it is like a generational issue in my family, hah
It has always been the prerogative of children and half-wits to point out that the emperor has no clothes
The Dev Cat
yeah, the 'men shouldn't express themselves' crap is one of the things that has made my life horrible, as I'm a guy with some bad social anxiety problems note and am utterly terrified of expressing myself despite the fact I doubt the people around me would react negatively.
It is literally so ingrained in me I have to fight myself constantly just to express myself even a little (I'm actually having to overcome a mental hurdle right now to post this...), and the fact that there are people who would respond to my constant fear and depression with a "suck it up!" only makes me more afraid.
it doesn't help that the person I'd want to be, assuming I could actually express myself, is also not a very masculine person, so I'm afraid of that as well.
yeah Gabriel that is hilariously, tragically, relevant for me. I started going to college about 6 weeks ago, and since then I have had 5 Nervous Breakdowns, almost one for each week (and this week is not over yet...) and it has not been fun.
HGW XX/7
Dude, see a therapist or a counsellor. Now. Do not pass Go. Do not collect £200. You wouldn't ignore five heart attacks in as many weeks. Mental health can be just as important. I've been there and done that, and it sucks.
And, most likely, you'll pull through with professional help, because college is a great place full of wonderful people who want to be your friend. Jump on this now, and reap the reward later. Let us know how it goes.
Aspirin could help fight against Prostate Cancer.
"Psssh. Even if you could catch a miracle on a picture any person would probably delete it to make space for more porn." - Aszur