Now, let me get this straight before I begin. I’m not ignoring statistics and making out that men are perfect — absolutely not. I have had my fair share of shit and uncomfortable experiences, especially living in a city centre!
I’m not going to go into things fully, as I know it can be a triggering experience for a lot of people, and I don’t want to offend or overwhelm anyone.
However, this is something I’m passionate about and believe in, and I will speak my truth. It doesn’t have to be yours.
You ask me why I favour men more than I do women. Well, it’s because I know where I stand with a man. But women? Well, they will lie to your face.
My whole life, all I have wanted is a girl friendship group, but no one has let me down more than women have. It’s the smiling to your face but stabbing you in the back later.
I feel safer with men. I know where I stand. Yes, I have been let down by men, but with women, it has been significantly more. So I stop trying to invite myself in and engage because I know I will be let down.
I will never beg. If I’m not wanted at that table, that’s fine. I clearly don’t belong there.
The chats are empty. Gossip is rife. But with a man, I can talk about the world, aliens, politics, conspiracy theories and so much more. I would rather be in that space than in a space that feels so empty, filled with fake and irrelevant chat. It’s weird because I have more guy friends but I never feel judged by men or feel awkward as I do with women.
So yes, I do favour men.
They say it’s “all men”, but equally, what about women? We are just as capable of being toxic and damaging. Domestic violence, sexual abuse and using children to get our way. But we won’t hear about that.
I am a girls’ girl and will always support women, but men have it hard too, and I can’t stand a woman who will disrespect a man. When a man helps make a baby too!
Men get abused too!!
I just feel that we don’t overly see those statistics. Men have a high suicide rate, and the whole male culture of being told to “man up”, along with the whole alpha-male culture, is completely ridiculous.
Men can be feminine, vulnerable and sad too. That doesn’t take away from their manhood.
There are a lot of good men out there. Men who are struggling. Men who are trying to balance all of the expectations placed upon them.
One thing that does annoy me is when women say they don’t need a man, that we would be better off without men, or that men are disgusting. It really winds me up because you are talking about a percentage of men who are wicked and nasty, but what about your dads, uncles, brothers and cousins?
I think it’s quite an unfair and unusual statement to make.
I honestly don’t know what I would do without the men in my life.
My dad is my rock. He gives the best advice, gives the best pep talks and keeps me in check.
I know not everyone is lucky enough to have those experiences with family members, and again, this is not me ignoring all the bad in the world. But I want to put some light into it.
I think instead of the battle of the genders, it should be about people being held accountable.
That whole “Would you rather be in a forest with a man or a bear?” debate, and people picking the bear, is silly.
We are in this culture and society where we really like to blow things out of proportion.
I think men and women balance each other out.
I am an independent woman. I can do things myself. However, I do need a man. There are things that men can do that I can’t, and those are facts. Equally, there are things women can do and bring out in men that men can’t do.
That’s not dismissing myself or either gender, as we all have both masculine and feminine characteristics within us.
I am not saying women can’t do what men can. Instead of punishing and dividing the genders, I want to appreciate both.
Women have a lot of great qualities and can do anything, but this post is about celebrating good men! Men’s mental health matters too!
I would like to take this time to appreciate all the hard-working men out there. The ones who work out in all weathers, work late nights and long hours.
You are appreciated, and you are doing a very good job!
I know the expectations are a lot. If you are struggling, please reach out to people. You are not alone!
Lots of love and happiness,
Alice xo
Alice Woodward 