A personal mansplanation.

I was once told to ‘stop my mansplaining’.

I’ve since learnt that the phrase ‘mansplaining’ is commonly used to undermine the opinion of a man when discussing the topic of feminism (or others). Apparently, a discriminative gender-related phrase is appropriate when discussing the idea of gender oppression and perception.

Modern day feminism boasts to incorporate all genders to resolve issues in modern society, with a goal to define, establish and achieve equality for all human beings – that is, depending who you’re talking to, what you’re reading, or what video you’re watching.

Contemporary, casual feminism seems to be heated debates, discussing what ‘feminism’ really is. As the genders try to lay claim to the wrong-doings of modern society, desperately attempting to victimise their gender of choice – often resorting to dragging up events centuries in the past, as if that gives a better claim to modern day feminism.

I recently watched a pro-feminism video that opened by stating that, ‘Feminist: A person who believes in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes’, this was very quickly contradicted by stating, ‘Men are not systematically oppressed on their gender’.

This is found very ignorant to deduce that you understand the situation of every man living in our society is very arrogant. Here are a few reasons why:

• For the man who is wrongly denied access to his children by a biased custody system.
• For the man who has been manipulated and controlled by the mother of his children, out of fear of never seeing his children again.
• For the man who has been a victim of physical, verbal, mental and sexual abuse, but never given the support he needs, as he is a man, he does not need support for these things.
• For the man (or woman) who has never been comfortable with his (or her) identity.
• For the man who has lived with shame over his physical appearance, or mentality as it does not meet the standards of society’s expectations of masculinity, as portrayed in films, video games and magazines.
• For the men who endure time spent at compulsory military service.
• For the man who never pursued his dreams, as it was discouraged by family members, friends and society.
• For the man who lost his child by the mother's decision for abortion.
• For the man who raised his child by the mother's decision to keep it.
• For the man who served a longer sentence, as opposed to the woman who committed the same crime. 
• For 95% of the UK's prison inmates being male.
• 72% of male prisoners suffering from two or more mental health disorders. 
• For the 97% of fatalities at work being male.
• For the 73% of adults that go missing being male.
• For the 87% of rough sleepers being male.
• Men are three times more likely to be dependent on alcohol or drug use.
• For the 78% of suicide victims being male (the highest cause of death for under 35's).

It is without saying that the female gender suffers more evident oppression worldwide throughout history, the monstrosities that humanity has witnessed and committed is unforgettable.

I find it disappointing that most of the energy spent on feminism is wasted attempting to victimise, demonise and lay a claim on the idea – whereas surely feminism would be a stronger movement if the people involved were united, addressing the issues rather than arguing about them. 

http://www.inside-man.co.uk/2015/03/03/97-employees-die-work-men-2009-2014-figures/

http://www.womeninprison.org.uk/research/key-facts.php

http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/men-and-mental-health-stats.html