Champion Of Equity Or Master Of Deceit- What's The Real Deal With Young Men Today?

It’s a commonly held belief that young men today are champions of gender equality. They talk the talk, share feminist memes, and even know who Gloria Steinem is (sort of). Their female friends, partners and family members brag that these men are their ardent allies in the fight against the dominant ideology of patriarchy. But let’s pause for a minute—are they really as modern as their Spotify playlists and ironic T-shirts suggest? Or is there a lingering ghost of grandpa’s views on “a woman’s place” rattling around their brains, waiting to pop out when they can’t find their socks?

Let’s be real: some of these modern-day “allies” can be pretty smooth at playing the part. They say things like, “Of course, I believe in equal partnerships,” but somehow still manage to disappear into thin air when the toilet needs cleaning or dinner needs to be cooked. When pressed, they’ll proudly argue that they were raised to help out around the house. They’ll tell you that all you need to do is ask for their help. To help someone implies that you’re assisting someone in performing something that is their responsibility. Why are they assuming these tasks are a woman’s job?

Then, there’s the covert chauvinism that peeks out like a nosy neighbor. These younger guys might claim that women can do anything men can do—except, apparently, stifle their emotions in the middle of a heated business negotiation. These guys still think that a woman’s “time of month” affects her ability to make cool headed business decisions. Oh, they’re subtle about it—there’s no 1950s pipe-smoking dad in sight—but a hint of that old-school “man as king of the castle” vibe occasionally sneaks into the mix.

Now, not all young men fall into this category, of course. Some are genuine allies who actively fight against old stereotypes and even know how to fold a fitted sheet (legend has it). But many fall into what we’ll call “performative allyship,” where they know the lingo but lack the soul. They’ll hashtag #EqualPayDay but forget to check if their female coworkers are actually being paid the same as they are and there is an undercurrent of resentment if they discover that those females are making more than them.

The bottom line? Younger men might be more evolved than their ancestors, but real change isn’t just repeating the right phrases. It’s in genuinely wrestling with those little internal “bro-isms” that pop up when they least expect it. Does what they say among the guys in the gym locker room match what they say in mixed company or does  locker room talk disintegrate into sexism

Do young men today really believe that women suffer gender bias in their professional and personal lives, or have they figured out that the key to successful relationships with women depends on stifling their misogynistic tendencies?