“Lighten up, he didn’t mean it like that.“He picks on you because he likes you.”.In fact, it often takes the most strength to rely on others and seek help when you need it.

These statements communicate that being strong only means having physical force or being insensitive. This implication contributes to the idea that women frequently overreact and allows society to view women as victims.įinally, one must note the shame these statements place on the value of vulnerability. In addition to suggesting that men are incapable of feeling anything but madness, these phrases imply that women are inherently weak, fragile, and sensitive. These statements also cause many men to believe that the only acceptable way to express their emotions is through anger or physical action. These statement imply that men cannot feel hurt or express emotion, preventing them from reaching out if they need help, reporting or seeking help for abuse, or realizing that they are experiencing domestic violence. Phrases like this communicate the idea that strength and weakness are essential parts of someone’s sex or gender. You can take an active part in combating this culture of violence and inequity by eliminating your use of the following common phrases: Separating children by gender for play dates, only allowing children to wear certain colors or play with certain toys, and teaching children specific chores all based on gender reinforces harmful stereotypes that allow abuse to permeate in our society. Often, our words and actions communicate messages to children without us realizing it.

Feminine feeling statements