Title: Why men should care about gender stereotypes - The F-Word
Headings: Why men should care about gender stereotypes
Why men should care about gender stereotypes
Alex Gibson considers the harm done by stereotypes of men as beer-swilling, emotionally-stunted brutes

Content: The problem is, while women are encouraged to reject the ludicrous ideas that are held about them, men are supposed to embrace them. In the creation of gender stereotypes, men really missed a trick. Male-dominated culture has cultivated an image of women that I’m sure you’re familiar with: endlessly shopping, outspoken (which for women essentially amounts to expressing a strong opinion about anything), money-draining, demanding and contrary. The classic picture that we are presented with in television, films, advertisements and practically every other medium for disseminating information, is of women as a burden, the irritating nagging voice in the back of your head that won’t leave you alone even for a second and scolds you for leaving the toilet seat up. Feminism encourages women to shed gender stereotypes and consider themselves as individuals. Men simply don’t think about gender. Why would you, when it rarely impacts in a noticeable way on your life? But Christ, guys, have you seen what we’re supposed to be like? Looking solely at stereotypes, men do not fare well.