There IS a gender war, but it ISN'T women against men.

I've seen this thread pop up time and time again complaining about how there is a war on men. I've seen posts like this on other subs too. I'd like to address it, from a very different and perhaps unusual perspective.<br><br>I think I might be the only trans person posting on this sub. I'm also non-binary, and was assigned male at birth. I was socialized as a male and my life has been very heavily influenced by the patriarchy, both as someone who benefited from it and as someone who was a victim of it. What I have learned from my experiences is this:<br><br>**There IS a gender war. But it isn't women vs. men.**<br><br>The patriarchy is at war with *everyone*. Women, trans people, non-binary people, anyone who is or who they perceive to be "feminine" or vulnerable. They are at war with men too, as they force you to perform toxic masculinity instead of allowing you to simply be yourselves and to be vulnerable. They are at war with our children, as they try to force kids to fit into traditional gender roles and punish them when they don't fit in.<br><br>They are at war with your sisters, daughters, mothers, grandmas, aunts, etc. They are at war with your trans and non-binary siblings, your children, parents, and your friends. They are at war with YOU. And if you didn't know this, it's because you have been taught not to see it, and you have been taught to blame anyone except the patriarchal systems that are waging this war.<br><br>So don't come and whine in this space about how you as a man are a victim of a gender war that women are waging against you. If you are under attack, it's by the patriarchy, and you should join us in resisting it. We will work together to dismantle the patriarchy, and this war against all genders will end.<br><br>&#x200B;<br><br>EDIT: I'd like to add something that just occurred to me. The reason why men don't realize this is happening to them is because the attack on men is more subtle and covert than the attack on women. Because women are seen as more vulnerable and because they are socially expected to be more submissive, the patriarchy has to be more overt in forcing them into their gender roles. But because men are socially expected to be strong, the patriarchy has to be more subtle in forcing men into their roles and policing their vulnerability. Thus men are more likely to be blind to it, but it's definitely happening and it's just as damaging.