In spite of considerable work being, and progress, made to change things, it remains a fact that men have countless advantages in modern society.
In addition to not having to deal with several biological issues all women must endure, men still seem to have the upper hand when applying for positions of power, or being trusted with major responsibilities.
As a result, those who do not identify as men often roll their eyes when men of any age offer even the slightest complaint.
Which doesn't mean that plenty of men still maintain that there are definite downsides to carrying those he/him pronouns.
Redditor jojomecoco was curious to hear what the men of Reddit considered the biggest obstacles and challenges which come with their gender, leading them to ask:
"Boys, what's the downside to being a male?"
What lies between one's legs...
"Getting hit in the nuts."- Phantomtastic
"Balls stick to leg."- BuffGroot
Societal Expectations
"All the expectations."
"'We must be swift as the coursing river, with all the force of a great typhoon, with all the strength of a raging fire, mysterious as the dark side of the moon'."- SparkAxolotl
"Our childhood interests don’t truly change much into adulthood, but we are often seen as childish if we continue to pursue them."
"One of my greatest laments is the magnitude of friends who said, 'when I grow up I’ll be able to afford..,' yet abandoned those dreams due to social conditioning."- nixxy19
nicksplat doug GIFGiphyDon't let a persona fool you.
:Being called a creep when you call a kid adorable."- OkraFit3987
Men like hugs too...
"I haven't been hugged in 14 years."- Delphii42
It can be hard for everyone...
"Whatever dating is now."- Thompson_S_Sweetback
"The loneliness."- ReindeerMean6253
lonely season 7 GIFGiphyOuch
"Almost never get compliments."
"Ever."- Redbeardthe1st
What are your intentions, exactly?
"I can’t be nice to women without them thinking I’m hitting on them or what have you."
"Like yeah you’re pretty but also, I’m just being polite."- pdeagz
When push comes to shove, sometimes we all feel like the world is against us, and we have to face an uphill battle.
But if one were to provide a study, the likely outcome would prove that men, namely white, cisgender, heterosexual men, often have a much less steep hill to climb than anyone else.
And though it might certainly be a different sensation, getting hit really hard between the legs is painful for everyone.
The internet, as dark is it often becomes, can be a wonderful place to retrieve information.
The anonymity allows people to ask questions they might not ask in real life, and that same anonymity also allows others to give honest answers when they might not have.
Take, for example, the physical differences separating the male and female sexes.
Sure, everyone knows the general distinctions. But when it comes to the nitty gritty details, the subtle nuances of living day to day in a certain body, there's a lot to learn.
Recently, a Reddit thread offered the opportunity for women to ask and men to share about the common "guy problems" that women might not fully understand.
Spoiler alert: most of the content revolved around erections.
MysticPato asked, "Women of Reddit, what are some men’s problems that you really can’t understand?"
Mind the Tip
"Where does your member go when y'all use the toilet? Like does it just hang there? What if you have to poo with a boner?" -- katanavanna
"My boyfriend told me about a certain problem with men's penises sometimes touching the front of the toilet seat when they sit."
"I understand it but I'm glad I don't have to experience it lol" -- anonymouskz
"My husband complains the toilet downstairs is too small so his unit grazes the inside bowl." -- Zetta216
A Remarkably Thoughtful Response
"Where do your balls go when you sit down" -- bellie87
"This is why we usually sit with at least some spread. That being said, they're a bit more flexible and mobile than some people might think. They will find a place, or they WILL let you know that they're not comfortable." -- AlexAlho
"blue balls? like do you get horny and it gets painful?" -- Ovlizin
"It's not 'horny=pain,' but it is real. It's caused by a hypertension in our groin that occurs after prolonged intense arousal. And despite the moderate pain it causes, it is no excuse for any untoward behaviour" -- hrrisn
"Do guys just get random boners?" -- M31K_
"Yes sadly it can be awkward" -- The_nosicle
"From ages 13 to about 25 it's got a mind of it's own. After 35 it gets lazy and has to have a decent chance of actually getting used." -- [deleted]
"Some men i know are overly confident and very insecure at the same time. Is this the societal norm?" -- Kyrilla_Mignon
"Yep, you want to seem confident but it just leaves you insecure" -- hastthouforsakeme
"It's a complicated matter. It starts somewhere between men are not allowed to express their feelings and show no weakness.(boys don't cry) And probably ends with us never get compliments."
"Some of us just get only one compliment a month and this one compliment is what keeps us goin for month, if not years." -- motorfreak937
"I've always been so curious about how men's public bathrooms evolved to be such an 'exposed' experience compared to women's... like, we use a stall no matter what..."
"when men have to pee, they just have a thin sheet of fiberglass or whatever separating one of (what I'd imagine) is one of their most private physical parts from complete strangers."
"How many men just opt to use a stall at all times?"
"When you stick your finger in their belly button and it hurts them in their penis. Why is that connected?" -- 59Trees
"The reason for that is your median umbilical ligament (not to be confused with the medial umbilical ligament). the short story is that when you were a fetus, your bladder emptied through a canal in the umbilical cord."
"The MUL is the remnant of the bladder-navel connection and depending on differences in your individual anatomy, any pressure/pain applied to the belly button can cause a sensation at the tip of the urethra, the root of the penis, the clitoris, labia or g-spot. Or the other way around." -- Timguin
"Beards?? I can't imagine it NOT being annoying having so much hair on your face. Doesn't it get hot? And food get stuck in it?" -- sleepygaybi***
"No, it doesn't get hot. I find it more annoying to have long hair on the head so I don't know how you girls do that. Beards don't get annoying if you keep them trimmed." -- MoobyTheGoldenSock
"Only get hot under a mask, lately. Don't get food stuck in it because I don't eat like an animal, and I always rinse my face after I finish eating (as a just in case measure)"
"Main reason I've cultivated mine is that it's the only thing I can have in my arsenal to conceal my lack of attractive features." -- finch231
"Why do men feel shameful after masturbation?" -- sneeplesteen
"Well, I guess you're talking about post nut clarity." -- Tom_is_a_hero
"Why do some men think it's ok to spit in public? Like what is that about, I don't need to see you spit out a big chunk of phlegm on the street" -- Mq94
"Seen plenty of women spit in public too. I think this just has to do with how you're raised, not which gender you are. Some people just don't learn manners and common decency" -- hrrisn
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In our toxically masculine, gender-obsessed world that pigeon holes us all into a couple categories, it can be easy to make some assumptions about which items make the best gifts for certain people.
But a recent Reddit thread turned that all on its head.
Redditors--mostly guys, but some well-versed partners of dudes--discussed what they truly want to receive when the holidays roll around.
Some of the suggestions may surprise you.
magic_neems asked, "What do men actually like to receive as gifts?"
The Gift of Ideal Portion Sizes
"My husband asked for 'sweatpants I can wear to the store,' house shoes (rubber on the Bottom in case he needs to go outside) and cereal bowls that are 'bigger than soup bowls' lol" -- haleymcgirl
"The cereal bowl thing has me dying. My husband eats cereal out of a mixing bowl." -- AnArmAndaPlague
Exactly What He Wanted
"I'm a single dad so I buy Christmas gifts for myself from my kids because obviously they want to get me stuff for Christmas but they don't have any money."
"This year they got me an Xbox series X, a subscription to keto Krate, a new electric roasting pan, and immersion blender, and and air compressor. 😂😂"
How Things Change
"As a kid the thought of getting socks as a gift would disgust me, but as an adult, a new pack of socks brings a smile to my face."
"Same goes for underwear, but different strokes for different folks there."
Just Solid Overall Advice
"The best gift is something a person wants, but cannot quite justify spending their own money on." -- blyat56
"Good general gift advice that. Also not too expensive, so they don't feel bad if you missed the mark." -- obscureferences
"Or something they wouldn't have thought to get. I'm getting my brother a set of throwing knives." -- The_First_Viking
The Gift of Actual Utility
"Appliances. Every time I use my waterflosser, air fryee, coffee bean grinder, etcn, I think of the giver and remeber them fondly" -- phroexx
"This. I'd rather receive something useful than something "for decoration" cause I live in a small place due to exorbitant rent." -- nguyenning198
Temporary, but Deeply Appreciated
"For me, pretty much just food. Maybe an item of clothing you really, truly, deeply believe I'd look really good in. Everything else I'd kind of prefer to buy myself because I know what I'm looking for."
"Pastries are my biggest weakness."
-- Mythnam
Know Your Audience
"Stuff related to our interests, just like anyone else. My dad got me a nice set of grilling tools this year, and I cant wait to try them out, as grilling is a huge hobby of mine."
"If he had given the same set of tools to my brother, however, he would have probably regifted them. Different strokes for different folks. Learn what your man likes, and give him that."
Always On the Mind
"You know what I really want? A nice comfortable desk chair. Because if it is comfortable to sit in, I will think of you each time I sit in it."
"And if it is quality and lasts a long time, I'll be thinking of your gift for quite a long time!"
-- brettBPK
A Good Strategy
"Best thing to do: identify a shoddy item I use. It could be a stapler, it could be scissors, it could be a socket wrench set that I just can't find that 10mm."
"Buy him a quality replacement."
Everyone Wants to Smell Good
"Candles. I may be a guy, but my place still needs to smell nice and give off a pleasant ambiance. I could be stuck smelling candles at Walmart for hours." -- Kesenai_
"My boyfriend and his best friend also love candles! But their guy friends never get them as gifts , so I always end up buying them cookie and vanilla scented candles that they love lol" -- FiniteCommunist
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Toxic masculinity is responsible for so much nonsensical behavior. Guys, it's not cute to always have to assert your dominance. All it does is exude insecurity. Plus, it costs $0.00 to not be a douche.
tokenbisexual asked men of Reddit: What's the most pathetic/ridiculous thing another man has done in attempt to assert his dominance over you?
Submissions have been edited for clarity, context, and profanity.