Is the phrase "man up" sexist?

[Cory]

I created a topic about this subject in the past, so I too feel as if it's a sexist remark and a way to berate men from expressing themselves. People inherit this belief from the school scene and the media primarily, I think. Men have been conditioned not to express their feelings or be shown as "weak" to prove that they are masculine and stoic through the eyes of society. It's sad that we essentially have to prove to society that we possess certain characteristics like this to be considered a "man". I think it's kind of immature to have this mindset and indeed a toxic mindset. Why do a large percentage of men show anger or violence? I believe this two-word phrase is mostly the answer to that question.

[Bryn]

I created a topic about this subject in the past

I didn't realise... @ Kyng do you think the two threads could be merged?

[Kyng]

I created a topic about this subject in the past

I didn't realise... @ Kyng do you think the two threads could be merged?

To be fair, Cory's thread was from 2021 - so, it would've been quite easy to miss it .

But yes, I've merged the threads. Admittedly, they did have a slightly different focus (Cory's was posted in Mental Health and was asking "Is this phrase harmful to mental health?", rather than "Is this phrase sexist?") - but, I don't think there's enough difference to justify having two separate threads.

(And finally, I can't really say "Cory should've posted his thread in Morality and Ethics", for the simple reason that that section didn't yet exist when he created his thread !)

[Bluezone777]

Words aren't sexist as it is people who are much like how guns aren't murderers as it is people who are. It really boils down to the intent of the user rather then the words themselves as that is what you should be considering. I like to think a lot of the time the phrase is being used as another way of saying be strong and/or courageous and there is nothing inherently sexist about encouraging anyone to be either. Even if they do intend it to be sexist is not my problem or concern nor will I make their problem about what being a man is or isn't my problem as that's on them to deal with.  I won't let them drag me into their problems with what that word does or doesn't mean.

[Cory]

Words aren't sexist as it is people who are much like how guns aren't murderers as it is people who are.

That makes pretty good sense. I suppose people could have good or bad intentions when using the phrase, but I think it has mainly been used as a derogatory.

[Shiny Star]

Yeah, this phrase does annoy me intensely. Some things to get to me and make me feel emotional - and there's nothing inherently wrong with that. Just because I'm male doesn't mean I should be expected to respond to anxiety or trauma in a certain way.

As for the point about "you can't be sexist to a man": on the one hand, I don't agree that it's impossible: if I were to be fired from my job solely for being male, then I would clearly be a victim of sexism. On the other hand, I don't really think "sexism against women" and "sexism against men" can be placed on some kind of equal footing - because sexism against women has to be seen within the context of centuries of having being seen as inferior and having fewer rights than men.

 
I meant to make this point before too. The sexism that women experience is considerably worse and more frequent than what men experience. I think even with 'man-up', it has connotations toward femininity being a bad thing as showing emotions is a bad thing, which is sexist toward women. I do think that it is important for men to be able to acknowledge their privilege, however I can see that being told to 'man-up' can make them feel invalidated for their gender.