Shaming Men [View all]

There are a number of ways that some people try to shut down men's voices.

Here is a small sampling. How many have been heard here at DU?

Charge of Irascibility
Discussion: The target is accused of having anger management issues. Whatever negative emotions he has are assumed to be unjustifiable. Examples:
“You’re bitter!”
“You need to get over your anger at women.”

Charge of Hypersensitivity – The Crybaby Charge
Discussion: The target is accused of being hysterical or exaggerating the problems of men (i.e., he is accused of playing “Chicken Little”). Examples:
“Stop whining!”
“Get over it!”
“You guys don’t have it as nearly as bad as women!”
“Wow! You guys need to get a grip!”

Charge of Puerility – The Peter Pan Charge
Discussion: The target is accused of being immature and/or irresponsible in some manner that reflects badly on his status as an adult male. Examples:
“Grow up!”
“You are so immature!”
“You're not real men.” ("Kicked out of Little Boys Club for being a real man&quot

Charge of Rationalization – The Sour Grapes Charge
Discussion: The target is accused of explaining away his own failures and/or dissatisfaction by blaming women for his problems. Example:
“You are just bitter because you can’t get laid.”

Charge of Misogyny
Discussion: The target is accused of displaying some form of unwarranted malice to a particular woman or to women in general. Examples:
“You misogynist creep!”
“Why do you hate women?”
“You are insensitive to the plight of women."