Women are often subject to antiquated cultural stereotypes dictating how they're supposed to look, the proper ways to act and what they're supposed to do.
This stems from a long-standing history of socially enforced gender norms and ideas; the expectation all women are supposed to be mothers is one example.
But females aren't the only ones affected by these social rules.
Though the pressure is often less for men, a slew of social codes males are expected to abide by -- such as the belief “real men don't cry” or the idea men shouldn't wear pink -- remains.
And many people on Twitter had enough of these gender codes.
And now, they're speaking out against the perpetuation of “toxic masculinity,” or the outdated rules distinguishing so-called masculine behaviors from feminine ones.
These ladies (and gents) have a lot to say.
#MasculinitySoFragile because the society thinks it's wrong and unmanly for boys to do and like things that are considered "feminine." — ally (@emptygreys) September 23, 2015
In a new trend marked by the hashtag #MasculinitySoFragile…
#MasculinitySoFragile men can't do anything unless we bless it with a "man" word. Manbun, guyliner, man-bag... — Ginny McQueen (@GinnyMcQueen) September 23, 2015
...people are sharing their experiences confronting gender bias and social codes.
#MasculinitySoFragile that men will question your heterosexuality for simply buying a rose gold iPhone. — Xia-Dawn (@iNdigo_iNtent) September 23, 2015
Some are sharing their thoughts on gendered packaging…
#MasculinitySoFragile pic.twitter.com/1FdnlAVs6B — she/her (@IceBergMama) August 31, 2015
...and the belief some products are inherently feminine or masculine.
#MasculinitySoFragile that they feel the need to gender everyday items pic.twitter.com/1G5QPJHFSn — ˗ˏˋ blige ˎˊ˗ (@THECAROLDANVERS) September 23, 2015
Others reference broader experiences…
RT if a man has yelled at you or cursed you out after you declined his advances #MasculinitySoFragile — jamilah (@JamilahLemieux) September 23, 2015
...such as the practice of saying “no homo” when hugging another man.
#MasculinitySoFragile Guys have to say "no homo" when showing affection to another guy, which is like saying "no Oedipus" when u hug ur mom. — Brandon Evers (@BrandonEvrs) September 23, 2015
The trend isn't an assault on men.
#MasculinitySoFragile that a guy can't happily support his partner without his gender being questioned :| https://t.co/iGxoYhXzh5 — MK (@mk_cancerian) September 1, 2015
It's people standing in solidarity with men hurt or outcast by social bias.
#MasculinitySoFragile that it's more important to teach women to reject men politely than it is to teach men to accept rejection peacefully — jamilah (@JamilahLemieux) September 23, 2015
These men and women are starting a movement…
#MasculinitySoFragile men haven't learned how to separate criticism of masculinity as a construct from criticism of them as individual men — Bailey (@the_author_) September 23, 2015
...to end "toxic masculinity" and the social problems born from it.
#MasculinitySoFragile that you consider love to be weakness, and violence to be a sign of strength. — LEFT (@LeftSentThis) September 23, 2015
So, ladies and gents: Speak your minds!
You can't date a woman who gets paid more than you. #MasculinitySoFragile — Beauty in Color (@PoCBeauty) September 23, 2015
Let's end the tradition of gender stereotyping once and for all.
How defensive some men are being over the #MasculinitySoFragile hashtag is proving the point of the hashtag. — Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) September 23, 2015
Citations: These Twitter Users Are Clapping Back At Toxic Masculinity And It's Glorious (MTV)
