Abstract

The purpose of this experiment was to highlight the social pressure or psychological abuse on men. Gender inequality is exacerbated by social pressures on men, various gender stereotypes or prejudices against men, and some ideological claims of masculinity. From this research, it can be highlighted that there is a lot of talk about women’s empowerment but very few people pay attention to what is happening with men’s empowerment. Even while there is no worthwhile litigation for men, it is commonly agreed that we live in a patriarchal or male-dominated society. However, when it comes to legislation, do we have any laws that help men? In addition to the deep reality, the solution of the current society has also been emphasized in this research paper. Also, several refutations and counter-argument have been mentioned in this research article.

Introduction 

Gender inequality is when one gender or gender consistently gets privileges or preferences over another because of gender or gender-based discrimination. Whereas gender equality is a fundamental human right, gender inequality is a violation of that right. Equality is a desirable ideal that we all seek. Nonetheless, the scales are tipped one way or the other.  According to UNICEF, gender equality “means that women and men, and girls and boys, enjoy the same rights, resources, opportunities, and protections. It does not require that girls and boys, or women and men, be the same.” For the past three decades, gender equality has been an issue that has remained unanswered. While much is said about women’s empowerment, few people pay attention to what is occurring with men’s empowerment. A man’s life is not as simple as most people imagine, owing to the fact that his troubles are rarely acknowledged. Although Bangladesh is developing day by day, some gender stereotypes or prejudices against men, some so-called ideological expectations of masculinity, and a lack of proper law enforcement for men have contributed to gender inequality, which is hindering the development of the country. In the interest of the development of our country, some steps have to be taken to change the social attitude.

Gender stereotypes or prejudices

There are many gender stereotypes or prejudices against men that are contributing to gender inequality which is hindering gender inequality in the country.  Gender stereotypes are hazardous because they can lead to confusion in our views. When someone doesn’t fit our gender expectations, it can lead to discrimination and uneven or unjust treatment. Stereotypes about how men and women think and act are widespread, implying that some of them are true. Stereotypical expectations, on the other hand, not only reflect real distinctions but also have an influence on how people identify themselves and are treated by others. This paper examines the nature and content of gender stereotypes, as well as how they relate to gender inequality in key life outcomes. According to empirical studies, gender stereotypes influence how people pay attention to, perceive, and recall information about themselves and others.

 In contemporary culture, there are a lot of stereotypes about men. There are: It is not always required for guys to behave in a social manner. Every potential woman in the world is distinct from a guy. A guy who cannot cry is one of the most widespread stereotypes in our culture. Men should be powerful. Why is it this way? Men, too, have feelings, and it’s okay for them to cry. The following are some of the most popular preconceptions about males in our society: Men should be able to solve problems on their own, without the help of others. A man’s reputation should be defended at all costs, and he should be ready to use physical force to do it. Also, men on television are less likely to display emotions such as empathy than female characters. Another prejudice is that guys are not allowed to wear pink. Men should be the financial providers for their families, not the ones who do the housework. Straight men should not have homosexual buddies since a gay man is not a true man. Another stereotype is a true one. A gentleman has as many sexual partners as possible, and he never refuses sex.  A weak person is one who does not fight back. Even if they are terrified and worried, men should always seem tough. Successful guys look excellent, but it’s not manly to spend too much effort on their appearance. And apparently, another stereotype is, When violence is required, men should use it; a male always has the last say in a relationship. So, these are the stereotypes that hamper our society’s point of view. 

A man’s life is not quite as easy as most people believe, owing to the fact that their problems are not really expressed. Many boys have suffered injuries as a result of being smacked by an aunt or a teacher. We’ve seen them be hurt and shriek in anguish, tears streaming down our faces. When a kid complains of discomfort, however, his parents scold him with the famous overstated proverb (Men don’t cry)? While we are growing up, our patriarchal culture impacts gender roles, instilling a preference for “masculine” attributes and expectations in males. Moreover, society believes that it’s common for a man to need to get “professional and classy” work and make a high wage by having a profession such as “doctor” or “engineer” to establish his manliness. Men are expected to locate a woman, have at least one child, and make their families proud by establishing themselves. Every man is expected to be “strong, bold, independent, wealthy, intellectual, violent, insensitive, less expressive, forceful” by society.

When a man fails to satisfy any of these criteria, he is instantly confronted with the hardships that come with being a man. His professional experience, which gives him a meager wage, is ridiculed. His desire to play a sport other than cricket, particularly in India, is sadly still derided by the majority in many areas. His physical and mental limitations are ridiculed. When a man is subjected to defalcations as a result of his desire to be “wealthy” in order to keep up with cultural demands, it becomes alarming. The culture defines a guy as an “IMPOTENT” if he is sexually impotent or earns less than his wife. A man becomes gay by default if he is unmarried by choice or comfortable with his feminine side. And, as a transsexual, a cross-dresser, or a eunuch, they are ridiculed and completely excluded from society. As a result of these factors, latent homophobia, or any other ubiquitous inconsistency in our culture, erupts in every case of a person expressing or behaving in a way that is contrary to expectations.

So-called “ideological expectations of masculinity,”

In most communities, males are seen as the community’s protectors. Everyone believes that it is their responsibility to keep their homes and communities secure from both internal and external dangers. There are many so-called social ideological expectations from men that are also the reason our gender equality is getting hampered nowadays. Men are sufferers of social expectations, as much as women are. The nature of exploitation they face is probably specific to that of women, but there may be discrimination towards guys too. Men are supposed to pick up guns and defend society’s children and women. While this may appear to be an ancient notion, it is still relevant in today’s world. For example, men can make up the vast majority of those enlisted in the national army. Men are also more likely to be involved in conflict resolution involving physical force.

Some so-called ideological expectations are

A complete man—Women need their guys to be sturdy and tender at the same time! They must take economic responsibility, but be successful enough to alternate diapers and assist in family chores. In short, all guys are anticipated to be because the tagline says, “A complete man.” 

Assume responsibility for their immediate and extended family– When a woman is the main provider, her extended family does not expect more than is required. Children additionally call for the simplest absolutely necessities from her. But if a person is a breadwinner, he’s anticipated to fulfill even extra responsibilities (like marriages of siblings, funerals, etc). His children, too, call for past necessities and the listing of desirables is long. A guy is regularly anticipated to juggle among his mother and father and his partner: It is assumed that a guy is one who’s neither a mamma’s boy nor a (puppet withinside the arms of his wife).  A guy is continually anticipated to offer greater than what his father may want to offer him: Better education, higher residing standards, and higher-excellent time are brand new social expectations. Holding up a social picture for the relaxation of the own circle of relatives – the peer strain for a social picture and social popularity is better on a person in comparison to a lady. Being touchy sufficient to guide, however being sturdy sufficient to now no longer anticipate guide – maximum human beings understand guys soliciting for the guide as weak.

Lack of proper law enforcement for men

It is commonly stated that we live in a patriarchal or male-dominated culture. But, when it comes to legislation, do we truly have any rules that favor men?

When we talk about gender equality, we don’t just mean equality for women; we’re talking about gender equality for everyone, including men. Sexual harassment, domestic abuse, dowry lawsuits, and other forms of violence against women are all too common. Men’s crimes, on the other hand, are rarely publicized or addressed in many communities.

Furthermore, we have all forms of legal guidelines for crimes in opposition to ladies i.e. rape, sexual harassment at the workplace, home violence, dowry cases, etc. and we frequently boost our voice in opposition to those crimes in opposition to ladies. On the other hand, we fail to realize and recognize that even guys may be sufferers of sexual abuse, home violence, etc. and if we truly pontificate about equality, then does that equality even exist? 

For example, according to Bangladeshi law, “adultery” is a criminal and bailable offense. Adultery is punishable under Section 497 of the Bangladesh Penal Code 1860. The laws state that a man who has sexual relations with a woman without her husband’s consent, despite knowing or believing that she is another man’s wife, is guilty of adultery. Any sentence of imprisonment of up to five years can be accompanied by a severe or non-rigorous sentence, a fine, or both. In this case, the wife cannot be charged with aiding and abetting. Surprisingly, though, there is no penalty for women who commit adultery under the law. There is no consequence for a lady who encourages and promotes infidelity.

Conclusion 

Despite the fact that Bangladesh is developing at a rapid pace, gender stereotypes and prejudices against males, as well as ideological expectations of masculinity, have contributed to gender disparity, which is impeding the country’s growth. Some actions must be done to influence social attitudes in the interest of our country’s development. Gender inequality must be eliminated for the betterment of a country. As a result, the country will be able to move forward. Everyone has to work together. Because unity is power. No one can ever hurt us if we are united. Male and females complement each other. Men and women must maintain equality, no one can be looked down upon because they are useless without each other. We have to have equal rights everywhere. We have to stop discrimination in the whole world. Then there will be peace in the world.

References: 

Stereotypes against males

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00011/full

Some ideological expectations from men

https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2017/12/05/americans-see-different-expectations-for-men-and-women/

https://www.google.com/search?q=society%27s+expectations+from+men&ei=rgdaYojmLMGMseMPwseoiAM&ved=0ahUKEwiI9ef9o5f3AhVBRmwGHcIjCjEQ4dUDCA4&uact=5&oq=society%27s+expectations+from+men&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAM6BAgAEEc6BQgAEIAEOgQIABBDOgYIABAWEB5KBAhBGABKBAhGGABQogVYiiJglyVoAXACeACAAYMBiAHfCZIBBDAuMTCYAQCgAQHIAQjAAQE&sclient=gws-wiz#

Lack of proper law force about men

https://www.justice.gov/file/1437336/download

https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.1910157116