Alright. Since when did this become an okay thing to say? My girlfriends say it like it’s no big deal. They laugh about how much they hate men and say “hahaha I’d be lesbian if I could, men are trash, men ain’t sh*t”. They don’t say it often but when it comes up, they go off - swearing, insulting.

Does anyone else feel this pain in their heart when they hear that? Like, I have such respect for men. The responsibilities and expectations and judgments placed on them in this day and age are immense. Men shouldn’t just have a job to provide for their entire family - they’re expected to cook and clean too, because it’s considered sexist for that to be the primary role of the woman. And their mental health levels are so much lower than ours, and they die prematurely compared to us women too. If anything, they need more assistance.

But no. Here are women who think that saying “men are trash” is a joke and that women are superior. Let me just say this - I’d be in a whole lot of trouble if I said “women are trash” to anyone. Women aren’t trash. But neither are men.

Men are strong. They’re resilient, persistent. Responsible. Kind. Gentle. Sensitive and deserving of the utmost respect and love.

Why do we (other girls) treat men like they’re nothing? Why do we think it’s okay to bash men like this in private? Is this really ‘empowerment’? Is this really what building women up looks like? Or are we just tearing down men instead?

And most importantly: how do we respond when people tell us these sorts of things? I find it easiest to just laugh along and act half-offended but I’m really getting sick of it now. I have guy friends and they are not trash, they’re some of the kindest human beings I’ve ever known. And I hate that I laugh along with my girlfriends who say that men are trash, just to avoid any conflict. I want to change, and I think more of us need to speak up when we encounter this behaviour.

Men are not trash. Men are brilliant.