On being, and not being, The Man: modern-day vindications of gender rights

As preparation for one of our seminars in English Literature (Taylor’s Version) — in which we look at connections between writing, gender, and power, focusing on Taylor Swift’s ‘The Man’, ‘mad woman’, ‘Dear John’, ‘Hits Different’, and ‘the last great american dynasty’ — I ask students to write a modern-day version of ‘A Vindication of the Rights of Woman’, Mary Wollstonecraft’s 1792 essay in which she argued for the importance of education for women. Students can argue persuasively for any gender-related issue they wish. I always feel moved — sometimes to laughter, mostly to tears — when reading these, and I wanted to share some of my favourite responses below.

On dehumanising language

More and more, I see people — usually young men — on social media use the word “females” as a synonym for “women”. This may not seem like much of an issue at first glance […] I would argue, however, that seemingly mundane shifts in meaning like this one pave the way for more explicit and extreme forms of dehumanisation down the road. By applying to human women a term that is usually reserved for female animals, the speaker implicitly (and perhaps unconsciously) declares them as beings of a lower order […] While this is by no means the most outrageous example of dehumanising language regarding women on the internet, it is important to keep in mind that radical and infinitely more concerning statements like “your body, my choice” do not manifest in a vacuum. Rather, the road to dehumanising a group of people is a gradual process. It is an agglomeration of little actions, expressions and beliefs that, when taken individually, might seems ridiculous to be concerned about. Much like throwing in individual pebble down a mountain might seems harmless, the issue arises when all those pebbles together turn into an avalanche. [by V.Y.]

On solidarity

I would focus on the importance of international solidarity. Afghan women are engaged in one of the most difficult fights against fundamentalism and extremism. The activists are small in numbers, preoccupied on many fronts, and lack resources, which makes it almost impossible to establish solid relationships with constituencies (Cox, 2022). Since “women’s rights [are] not important for men to rally for” (124) in Afghanistan itself, I feel like it’s important that Afghan women need allies from all over the world, who will rally people for the issues women suffer. I believe that we need to speak up and pressure the government to take action. By doing (close to) nothing, we are basically sending a message to the Taliban and other extremists that it is acceptable to repress women. By helping them on the other hand, we would show the world our commitment to justice and equality. In truth, it is really not about Afghanistan, it is about humanity and doing the right thing. I strongly believe that we should help them, because “they are willing to give up their live but not their rights” (Cox, 2022), and we are just watching it happen from our own familiar, warm and SAFE environments. [by I.D.]

On bodily autonomy

With Roe v. Wade overturning in 2022, I thought the USA had taken several steps back. With electing Trump as president anno 2024, I think we might as well throw the whole country away. I cannot comprehend how today, in the 21st century, we are still debating whether women can and/or should make their own educated choices over their own bodies. The fact that nowadays, in some parts of the world, politicians, and especially men, feel so comfortable in determining whether a woman should have a child or not feels a bit dystopian. Knowing that a lot of the deaths (of women and children) due to unsafe abortions could have been prevented by legalising them, makes that feeling worse. [by L.V.]

I would like to take a moment to define the terms that conservatives often like to use when discussing abortion, particularly their tendency to label women ‘murderers’ for making decisions about their own reproductive health — a term that is sorely misused and reveals a deep misunderstanding on their part — or worse, it reveals glaring inconsistencies in their logic that they actively choose to ignore. If terminating a fertilised egg constitutes murder, then by this same standard, women who use IUDs or emergency contraception could be labelled ‘murderers’ as well, as these methods can prevent a fertilised egg (a zygote) from implanting in the uterus. Yet, we rarely see anti-abortion advocates calling for a ban on these forms of contraception. This hypocrisy reveals that their stance is more about controlling women’s bodies than preserving life. [by I.S.]

On beauty

I wanted to focus on something that may seem vain but affects my day-to-day life a lot as a woman, and that is how societal expectations force women to spend disproportionate amounts of time, money, and energy simply just to exist. It’s no surprise that women are forced to fit into some type of beauty standard and judged based on it. “Traditionally, being a woman in the workplace has meant being expected to look feminine, and that means wearing makeup. This comes as no small cost in terms of both time and money, as women in the U.S. spend an average of 45 minutes grooming, from styling their hair to applying makeup each day, and they constitute 80% to 90% of the $115- billion beauty industry” (Martinez 2022). This imposed unspoken “existence/beauty tax” on women is not only a waste of time as it perpetuates economic and social inequalities but also a waste of energy that can be spent on meaningful pursuits like education and personal growth. That concludes for me a modern Vindication of the Right of Woman can argue that women should reject these arbitrary standards and reclaim their time back by striving for a society that values them for their meaningful pursuits and contributions. [by S.Y.]

On violence

I would like to start this vindication with some shocking statistics:

According to the most recent prevalence study, as many as 64% of the Belgian population between the ages of 16 and 69 have already experienced some form of sexual violence, ranging from sexual harassment to sexual exploitation. The same survey shows that two in five women and one in five men have faced ‘hands-on’ sexual violence, where they were touched physically without wanting this. 19% of women and 5% of men reported having been raped. (https://sac.belgium.be/en/about-us)
An estimated 91% of victims of rape & sexual assault are female and 9% male. Nearly 99% of perpetrators are male. (https://www.humboldt.edu)
Around the world, at least 1 woman in every 3 has been beaten, coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Most often the abuser is a member of her own family or is her partner. (https://www.humboldt.edu)

While sexual assault is of course an issue that affects all genders, women are statistically much more likely to be victims. It should also be mentioned that men who experience sexual assault often face significant stigma and shame, which can make it much harder for them to seek out help and support. This clearly highlights the need for interventions that address the different challenges faced by both male and female survivors. [by J.D.]

On the gendering of pain

I would argue that the practice of performing IUD insertions without any form of aenesthesia is unjust. Many women experience intense pain during the procedure, in some cases so severe that they faint or vomit, yet aenesthesia is not routinely offered, despite its availability. Some argue that finding a solution to relieve the pain without adding risks to the procedure is difficult, but if this issue were funded and prioritised as it should be, a solution would have already been found. If men had cervixes, it’s unimaginable that such a painful procedure would be done without pain relief. [by J.V.]

On matters of the heart — literally

Did you know that women are more likely to die from a heart attack in public because bystanders hesitate to perform CPR on someone with breasts? This hesitation isn’t surprising, given that CPR mannequins used for training are almost always modeled after male bodies. Did no one consider that women might also suffer heart attacks? No one? And the symptoms we’re taught to recognize—like chest pain—are more typical for men. For women, heart attack symptoms often include nausea, shortness of breath, or fatigue, yet these are never talked about.

Here’s another interesting fact: women are 32% more likely to die after surgery performed by a male surgeon compared to a female surgeon. Women’s pain and medical concerns often go unnoticed or dismissed. Countless women have left doctors’ offices without answers or proper treatment, sometimes with fatal consequences. Studies show that women in pain are taken less seriously than men, leading to delayed diagnoses and inadequate care.

This isn’t just a matter of a gender gap in medical research, it’s a matter of life and death. [by Y.G.]

On a new gender gap in education

Since Mary Wollstonecraft wrote A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, we have made remarkable progress when it comes to gender equality […] However, a new gender education gap has arisen. In many Western countries, there is talk of a ‘boy crisis’: boys and young men in education are underperforming compared to their female classmates. Recent reports in the press (a series of articles was published on the topic in the Belgian newspaper De Standaard) have mapped out this issue in Flanders. Fewer young men are going into higher education, high-school boys experience more learning difficulties, and boys are more prone to disciplinary issues and leaving school early.

Some say this an age-old phenomenon that is only now being met with concern by education experts (Cohen 1998). Even if this is so, we must not be content trading one inequality for another. The consequences can be dire: the feeling of being left behind has led to many young men in the United States being convinced by Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric. Our education system is failing boys, and change is urgent. [by K.N.]

On gender-affirming care

Homophobes and transphobes tend to incorrectly assume that they don’t or will never need gender-affirming care. That trans people asking for a mastectomy is too much and that they might change their minds. However, women needing IVF or fertility treatment to get pregnant is actually also gender-affirming care… Men needing Viagra? Gender-affirming care. Wanting a hair transplant? Gender-affirming care. Gender expression is something so important, something we all need to feel comfortable in our own skin it is misguided to think that just because you are not trans you won’t ever need or want gender-affirming care. [by A.S.]

On getting there quicker if you were a man

Last year, I became the head of my local youth movement. Before me, the position happened to be taken by men for several years. Although I don’t do anything particularly different than those before me, I can’t help but notice how much more my authority and decisions are questioned compared to the men (who had similar years of experience). In addition, I’m often interrupted or being talked over in meetings and when I make a remark the men act offended. There have been several instances where a man proposed the same idea or explanation after I did and everyone agreed with them while just having fired negative comments at me. I’ve known the other people in the movement (10 men and 4 women) since I was two years old and always got along well with all of them, they even voted for me to become the head. But right after I got the position, they started labelling me as being too bossy. It has made me scared of making decisions and asking people for help. I’m learning to accept that not everyone will like you or even respect you when you’re in a position of power as a woman, but it’s just such a shame… [by A.M.]

On running as fast as you can — or want to

In my opinion, fear should not hold you back, especially when it is fear constructed by society. I would advocate for a society that encourages women to solo travel, broaden their perspectives, live independently, and experience total freedom without having them to worry about men/society’s perceptions of them or their safety. Society must not only permit this but encourage it because, besides the fear of one’s safety, there’s also the fear of judgment, of being perceived as reckless or irresponsible. I think that by empowering women to travel freely, we shift the narrative. It’s time to create a world where women’s solo travel adventures are seen as a strength, not a deviation from the norm. It’s time to recognize that the world is just as much ours as it is anyone’s; and that our right to explore it should never be curtailed by fear. [by K.F.]

On being a fearless leader and an alpha type

Kamala Harris’ term as vice president has been groundbreaking, but it has also illuminated the challenges that women in politics have had to face. Her achievements are often overshadowed by shallow critiques of her attitude, her laugh, or her ‘likability’. These criticisms are not about her capability, they are about discomfort with a woman holding power. Harris’ experience is illustrative of a broader problem. Women leaders are often held to impossible standards. Angela Merkel, for example, who was one of Europe’s longest-serving leaders, endured a vast amount of critique on her wardrobe before her policies became the focus. Even an article on how much Merkel’s makeup and hairdo cost German taxpayers per year was published. Male leaders, on the other hand, rarely face this level of personal scrutiny. I believe that these double standards can discourage women from entering politics, creating an environment where leadership is still implicitly coded as male. The biases extend beyond individual leaders; they infiltrate media narratives, public expectations, and even the structures of political institutions. [by B.V.]

And, finally, ‘An Appeal Against the Chains of Masculinity’, written in the style of Wollstonecraft herself:

“How deplorable it is that in our so-called progressive age, men remain shackled by corrosive ideals of masculinity that demand they deny their own humanity. Men in Flanders, as in much of the world, suffer profoundly in a society that deems emotional expression as weakness and vulnerability as failure (Courtenay 1388; Addis and Mahalik 7). This cultural mandate denies men the awareness to recognize or address their own suffering. Research reveals the grave consequences of such a fallacy—the damaging force of masculinity norms on men’s mental health.

Society, for all its professed enlightenment, still demands that men shoulder their burdens in silence, insisting that true strength lies in rejecting all that is deemed feminine (Courtenay 1389). Under this distorted vision of strength, men are compelled to suppress emotional pain, to shun support, and to distance themselves from any sign of weakness. The result is an alarming increase in the number of men whose pain remains unaddressed, whose issues remain untreated. Such suffering, all to embody a masculinity that ultimately denies them the very well-being they deserve.

Many men, instead of seeking help, attempt to “talk themselves out” of their despair, regarding depression, for example, as something “stupid” they should conquer alone. The mere association of depression with femininity is, for many men, a powerful motivation to hide their suffering and reject help for fear of tarnishing the masculine facade (Courtenay 1396–97). Tele-Onthaal’s 2022 report reflects this tragic reality in Flanders: among callers where the gender was identified, of the 78,208 calls for mental health support, only 34.5% were made by men (Tele-Onthaal 4). This reluctance to seek help, even when pathways exist, reveals the depth of men’s isolation—a reality long neglected by society.Even so, men are not merely discouraged from seeking aid; they are actively driven to conceal their suffering. To enforce this silence is not to fortify; it is to fracture.

Nowhere is this fracture more painfully manifest than in the heightened risk of suicide among men. Globally, men die by suicide at more than twice the rate of women—a grim testament to the deadly cost of this societally imposed manhood (WHO 18). The consequences are indeed dire, and all too often, they are fatal.

In response, the Flemish government has indeed initiated programs aimed at reducing stigma and widening access to mental health care. Campaigns such as “Zelfmoord1813” and other accessible support options, bolstered by partnerships with local organizations, are gestures in the right direction—yet mere gestures they remain. These efforts, though commendable, barely scratch the surface of the barriers men face, offering a shallow remedy to a deeply rooted affliction. True change demands more than initiatives; it calls for a dismantling of the very ideals that confine men to silence and despair.

In their darkest moments, men are taught to suppress rather than express, to view vulnerability as weakness and depression as an enemy to be fought alone. To dismantle these chains—both within Flanders and beyond— society must confront the very ideals that equate masculinity with silence and self-reliance. Only by challenging these damaging norms and drawing upon insights from local and global research to do so, can we envision a world where men are free to seek support without fear or shame, where masculinity is redefined. Such a transformation is both necessary and just, for as long as men are denied the right to mental health, we are all diminished. [by Amber Anseeuw]