In many societies around the world, men are expected to embody a certain set of behaviours and characteristics that are deemed to be "masculine" e.g. aggression, dominance, emotional control, and physical strength. However, the pressure to conform may prevent men from expressing their true and authentic selves.

A paradox of masculinity is that compliance with these gender norms is in itself compliant behaviour, which is not typically associated with masculinity. In other words, the desire to conform to social expectations of masculinity can lead men to act in ways that are not necessarily authentic or genuine i.e. they are fake or conformist.

Appearing to be strong simply because one wants the approval of others is not true strength at all. If a man wants to be feminine and lacks the strength to be feminine and does not have confidence in himself to face social opposition and disapproval to be feminine, and therefore becomes masculine, shows dominance, strength, builds muscle etc, is that ultimately masculine behaviour?

Is the problem that we are associating masculinity with positive behaviours such as strength and authenticity and negative behaviours such as compliance with femininity?

If that is the case, it shows that what we understand as masculine and feminine is biased in that positive traits are automatically assigned to men. Isn't this then a problem for women who follow feminine gender roles? By following these gender roles, aren't they automatically doing something that is against their own interests? What benefit is there in being compliant and weak?