Have men tried just not hating women?

Is that too complicated?

I finally finished Adolescence, having to mete out portions of episodes slowly because the subject matter was just too heavy at times. A great show, now inevitably dominating the discourse, with everyone from experts to talking heads keen to debate the supposed crisis of masculinity, argue about parental responsibility vs that of the big social media platforms, condemn incel content and ask what exactly it is that boys need.

I grew up before the internet. Oh it was around, but barely and it certainly had no affect on my social life. I remember the first text message I got, now that felt like living in the future. I also remember how boys treated girls before they had access to unlimited porn, Andrew Tate podcasts and red pill forums and let me tell you, it wasn’t great! You were labelled a slag if you did more than kiss a boy, despite their often aggressive attempts to get you to go further. Your appearance was brutally scrutinised and judged, and if it was found wanting, by God they would let you know. Nicknames were given to girls, the kind that still make shudder all these years later, graffitied on public spaces, yelled across streets, carved into trees. A girl I knew let a boy go down on her for the first time. Two days later a massive sign appeared in the local park. “JD cut his tongue on the crust.” Her name was added on at the end, lest she wasn’t ashamed enough.