Ways Men Misunderstand The #MeToo Movement - Page 14

Gettyimages.com/Photo Taken In Germany, Pinneberg

The #MeToo movement has been a bit overwhelming for men (being oppressed and abused for centuries has been overwhelming for women but, we’ll get to that later). It can be hard for men to know how to respond to the movement. Do they need to respond at all? What is their place in everything? Have they been a part of the problem? Can they be a part of it, and not know it? A lot of men have very, very old ideas about gender equality and how to treat women that have been passed down to them from ancestors long, long ago. Okay, to be honest, all men have those, but some have made an effort to challenge and dispel them. Others have not. I know men feel, at the moment, that they can do nothing right. But listening and trying to understand is always right. Making assumptions is where you get into trouble. Here are wrong ways men have taken the #MeToo movement.

Gettyimages.com/Angry young African woman yelling into a megaphone as she makes her grievances known at a demonstration or rally, side view on white

That it is dramatic

It only feels dramatic to men because we are suddenly being vocal about something that we were otherwise silent about. And now that we’re vocal about it, wow is it apparent how prevalent it is. We aren’t being dramatic. It is happening as much as it seems.

Gettyimages.com/Male hand reaching out to smack the butt of a female coworker

That it is only about rape

The movement is not only about bringing awareness to rape victims. The movement spans all incidents of harassment and abuse—particularly as it pertains to that of a sexual or derogatory nature. That is verbal, written, and all non-physical abuse, as well as physical.

Gettyimages.com/angry woman violent

That women use it too lightly

Some men think a woman uses it too lightly if she says “Me too” after having a male boss call her “darling,” or a landlord make a creepy comment about her outfit when he collects the rent check. But these incidents are all part of a broader, toxic culture the movement seeks to address.

Studio shot of a group of beautiful young women posing together against a gray background

That it does nothing

It doesn’t do nothing—far from it. So many victims believed that they were alone before. So many believed perhaps they deserved their abuse because they thought it was specific to just them. The movement has shown victims how widespread the issue is, that they are not alone and that there are people willing to come together to fight it.

Gettyimages.com/upset man

That it’s only for women

Anyone who has suffered sexual abuse—verbal, written, physical, or even in unspoken, passive-aggressive manners—is a part of the movement. It is not gender exclusive.

Gettyimages.com/Shot of a young businesswoman experiencing tension during a late night at work

That they can use it casually

I don’t want to hear one more man say hashtag me too over things that have nothing to do with the movement. I feel that some men have been searching for reasons to say it, and said it in incidents when they actually did not at all feel threatened or abused. Men: do not seek to prove that you are as abused as women are. You are not.

Gettyimages.com/Businesswomen using digital tablet in office

That only men caused it

Men were not the only ones involved in causing widespread abuse for centuries. They have had female helpers. We have no delusions about that. But their helpers were likely just afraid of being the victims of abuse if they were bold enough to stand against it.

Gettyimages.com/afraid man

That it is an attack on men

The movement is not an attack on men. To say that is to be dramatic, gentlemen. The entire movement is about stopping attacks. If you believe our desire to stop attacks is an attack on the attackers, well, then, you need to re-evaluate which side of history you stand on.

Gettyimages.com/woman leaning against wall serious

That it is a phase

It isn’t a phase. It’s not going anywhere. It’s an awakening.

Gettyimages.com/shocked man

That everything they do is wrong

No, men, not everything you do is wrong. If you feel that you can’t do anything right then, perhaps you have worse habits than you thought. But there are plenty of men who manage to behave just fine in the wake of the movement.

Gettyimages.com/An African-American mid adult woman in her 30s standing outdoors, looking at the camera with a serious expression on her face.

That people say it because it’s trendy

People do not say “Me too” because it is trendy. To assume that is insulting and belittling. I promise you that victims of abuse do not care about whether or not they are trendy.

Gettyimages.com/couple walking at night

That they should avoid women

If you feel, as a man, that you need to avoid women right now then what you probably actually have to do is ask yourself what you’ve been doing wrong. Avoiding women is an immature cop out. Address your behavioral issues.

Gettyimages.com/confused woman

That it’s a double standard

Well, again, the movement isn’t only for women. So to men who ask, “Don’t men get a #MeToo? if you feel you’ve been abused, then you have one. Requesting that there are separate movements for men and women on this issue is to perpetuate one of the very issues the movement addresses (the unequal treatment of women).

Gettyimages.com/Businesswoman looking at smartphone

That we use it to avoid confrontation

Some men accuse women who say hashtag me too of being too cowardice to confront their abusers. First off, no victim has any obligation to confront her abuser. The abuser caused this problem in the first place and has an obligation to pay reparations. Second off, you’d be surprised how many women did confront their abusers, and it did nothing. The abusers wouldn’t confess to what they’d done.