Apparently, Marcus Black, some guy on the reality show Love and Hip Hop posted an Instagram video complaining that real men aren’t interested in an independent woman – a woman who can hold her own in the house and in the workplace. Hmmm. First off, I didn’t know that show was still airing. As far as I am concerned, it should be called Bullcrap and Hip Hop – but I digress.
Second, only a non-real man would say such an idiotic thing. A Real Man would say, ‘Do your thing girl.’ A Real Man would be excited to have a woman that will challenge him. Of course, women can get on men nerves and vice versa – that’s never going to change. But a man who can’t deal with a woman because she can stand on her own two feet just isn’t a man.
As a man who grew up among strong, independent women, I applaud women who can handle it all. My grandmother (father’s mother) was as tough of woman as you could find. She took crap from no one, and my father emulated her. He was a drill sergeant in the Army. As tough as my grandmother was, she was just as loving. She took care of her family and made sure her children carried the moxie that made her such a great parent and grandparent.
We men have to get away from this old-school thinking. That thinking has led to some reprehensible behavior including sexual abuse and harassment, and domestic violence. Instead of being a jackass, you should be supportive and handle whatever she dishes out.
To some extent, men, in general, are intimidated by strong-willed women. Men are taught or used to be taught to be the leader, provider, and protector. I say ‘used to’ because there are a lot of sorry-a** men out there. It’s shameful – but I digress. A Real Man recognizes that his wife, girlfriend, etc., can have their own voice and the two of you can agree to be disagreeable but still come together as one.
Men and women are always going to view certain things – well, most things – differently. And speaking from a male perspective, at some point your wife/girlfriend/partner, etc., is going to say something that is going to annoy you and you will tune them out for a while. I am sure even in the days of the Neanderthal, a woman said something to irritate a man, and he just walked away and hung out in a Saber-tooth Tiger den for a few hours.
That’s just the way it is – men and women don’t always see things the same. It is the way we are made, but on this particular issue we men should swallow our foolish pride and be proud that we have a woman that will put us in check when we have done or said something stupid – which means she will be busy every day.
