Real Men are Feminists

In the wake of Parkland (and Charlottesville, and Sandy Hook… I could go on), I’ve been thinking a lot about toxic and rigid masculinity and how we socialize children. We’ve put impossible standards on how boys/men deal with their emotions (“boys don’t cry” + “don’t be a pussy”, etc.) and teaching that masculinity lives in opposition of femininity (a strong woman can be feminine, but a stay-at-home dad is unmanly). I think so many men feel threatened by feminism as opposed to feeling like they're welcome, but all feminism asks of you is to unpack and challenge harmful beliefs, thoughts, and notions we’ve been taught of what it is to be a “real man”.