This is one part shower thought, one part discussion.

When a dudebro hears a woman say "act like a man," I wonder / suspect that that is getting interpreted as a toxic masculinity dog whistle. And so his wrath comes from three sources:

  1. "How dare a woman say I'm not a man?!"
  2. "How dare she try to make me do chores like my mom?!"
  3. "How dare she punk me like those dudes in junior high did?!"

In sum, telling a man to "act like a man" triggers old mommy issues as well as "not good enough, gotta prove I'm something" baggage.

Male lurkers: act like an ADULT.