Why Do Men Hate Women Today? 7 Reasons Behind the Misogyny
Why do so many men hate women today?
It’s a question that feels more important than ever.
Men being disrespectful, aggressive, or downright disgusting toward women seems to be everywhere—from the streets to our screens—leaving no space truly safe.
And for many of us, it’s not just something we read about—it’s something we’ve lived through.
Maybe it was a stranger shouting obscene comments as you walked to your car.
Or some guy online deciding your looks, choices, or existence were up for public shaming.
These men act like their opinions are facts, and they expect us to care andconform to their standards—while showing zero respect in return.
Online, you’ll see women called everything from “too slutty” to “too fat” to “too dumb”—constantly bullied and torn apart just for existing.
In real life, it’s no better: guys being hostile or misogynistic in public, making degrading comments, starting confrontations, even escalating to violence.
It feels like more men are acting out in anger, resentment, and outright hatred toward women.
And worse, it seems to be getting more common—and more normalized.
This past year has been a wake-up call for me.
As someone who usually keeps to herself and works from home, I’ve been shocked by how often men act like jerks in public—and how quickly situations can turn scary.
One time, while waiting outside for a to-go order, a strange man pulled up and started yelling disgusting things at me, treating me like I was a prostitute he could proposition.
He sat idling next to me, refusing to leave, continuing his harassment until my order was ready and I could escape.
Another time, I was walking my dog when a man across the street started screaming racist and hateful slurs at me, completely unprovoked.
And just recently, a man in a parking lot decided to take his frustration out on me.
As soon as I pulled in, he walked toward my car, yelling insults and claiming I was a terrible driver and had almost hit him.
He followed me into the drive-thru, banged on my window, and kept screaming.
I got away safely—but each time, I was left shaken, angry, and scared.
After so many encounters like this, I started asking myself:
Why do guys act like this?
And when you throw in not just the random men we cross paths with, but also the way we’re treated by men we’re romantically involved with, or even by male friends, coworkers, or family members—guys we expect at the very least to treat us with basic care and respect—it begs the question even more:
Why are so many men so mean, angry, or hostile toward women?
And most importantly—how do we protect ourselves from this kind of behavior?
Let’s get into it.
The Horrifying Rise of Misogyny Today
Men being hateful, misogynistic, and hostile toward women—it’s a problem deeply rooted in history and culture.
For centuries, women have been seen as less important than men, forced to fight for even the most basic rights and respect.
What’s changed today is how visible the harassment has become.
Social media and online platforms have pulled back the curtain, making it impossible to ignore.
Viral videos and posts regularly expose men disrespecting and mistreating women, turning their cruelty into a spectacle.
Even more disturbing is how often this misogynistic behavior is normalized or excused.
The message seems to be that the limited rights and progress women have achieved are a threat to them and somehow justify being put “back in our place.”
But it’s not just an online problem.
In real life, harassment, aggression, and violence from men remain alarmingly common—and in many cases, they’re getting worse.
Globally, 1 in 3 women have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence.
In 2022, nearly 89,000 women and girls were murdered – the highest number in 20 years.
These numbers aren’t just statistics; they’re a stark reminder that this isn’t a problem we can dismiss or downplay.
Behind every data point is a real woman whose life has been shattered—or ended—by men who were angry, controlling, or full of hate.
Everyday Ways Men Disrespect Women
When men are rude, disrespectful, or even misogynistic, it doesn’t always show up in obvious ways.
Sometimes it’s loud and aggressive—but other times, it’s subtle, passive, or slowly chips away at your confidence.
And because we’re often told to brush it off as “just a joke” or “not that deep,” it can be hard to call out.
Here are some everyday ways men mistreat women—both online and in real life—that we’ve been taught to ignore, downplay, or silently tolerate.
Online Harassment
• Flooding your social media with insults or unwanted messages
• Dismissing or mocking your opinions with comments like, “What do you know? Stick to makeup tutorials.”
• Sending explicit pictures or degrading comments without consent
• Creating fake profiles to stalk, harass, or impersonate you online
Harassment at Work
• Interrupting or talking over you in meetings
• Taking credit for your ideas or minimizing your contributions
• Assigning tasks unrelated to your role, like cleaning or fetching coffee
• Claiming your success is only due to your looks or gender, not your skills or effort.
• Pressuring you for personal favors or sex in exchange for opportunities
Sexual Harassment
• Catcalling or yelling sexual comments at you
• Touching you without consent or blocking your path
• Following you or trying to lure you into a car or secluded area
• Taking pictures of you without asking
• Making lewd gestures or mimicking sexual acts towards you
Emotional Manipulation
• Calling you “crazy” or “too sensitive” when you express valid concerns
• Dismissing your emotions as “just PMS” or hormones
• Using sarcasm or condescension to make you feel stupid, like, “Do you even know what you’re talking about?”
• Comparing you negatively to other women, like saying, “She’s hotter, smarter, or more fun than you.”
• Mocking your ambitions or goals with dismissive phrases like, “That’s cute, but do you really think you can handle it?”
• Refusing to take “no” for an answer, whether it’s for a date, an idea, or even a casual discussion
Verbal Put-Downs
• Saying your talents aren’t a big deal, like “It’s not that hard, I could do it too.”
• Criticizing your looks or femininity, like saying you should wear more makeup or dress differently
• Making fun of you for being single or assuming things about your love life, like, “Maybe if you weren’t so picky, you’d have someone.”
• Criticizing how you parent or your choice to have kids or not
Public Embarrassment
• Making mean comments about your appearance in front of others
• Laughing at your opinions, especially on things they assume women don’t understand
• Sharing personal or embarrassing stories without your permission
• Spreading lies or rumors to damage your reputation
Physical Intimidation
• Yelling or using threatening body language to scare you
• Blocking your way, staring you down, or following you after being told to stop
• Throwing things or hitting walls during arguments to intimidate you
• Grabbing or physically restraining you when you try to walk away
7 Disturbing Reasons Behind Why Men Hate Women Today
These days, with violence against women rising and more men feeling bold enough to show open hatred—both online and in public—it’s hard not to wonder:
What’s really going on?
Why do some men seem to hate women so much?
What did we do to deserve this kind of treatment?
The truth is, men harass and disrespect women for a lot of reasons—and none of them are justifiable.
Here are some of the most common ones.
1. Targeting Women They See as Weak
Men who mistreat women often feel safe doing so because they see us as easier targets.
They assume we’re physically smaller, less likely to fight back or more hesitant to speak up, which makes them feel they can get away with their behavior.
This feeling of safety can be even stronger when they target women from groups that often face discrimination, like women of color or those from low-income backgrounds.
They see these women as having less support, fewer resources, and are less likely to be believed if they do report the harassment.
2. Insecurity and the Need to Feel in Control
Men harassing women often stems from a desire for power and control.
For centuries, society has put men in positions of authority and leadership and told them that “real men” should always be strong, successful, and in control.
But as women gain more rights, achieve success, or take on leadership roles, some men see this progress as a threat to their status.
When they struggle to meet these expectations—whether at work, in relationships, or in life—they start blaming women for their perceived failures.
Rather than improve themselves or confront their own shortcomings, they lash out.
Harassment becomes their way of undermining women, trying to make us seem weak, incapable, or unworthy of respect.
You’ve probably heard things like, “Women always get special treatment,” or “Feminism has ruined everything for men.”
These excuses give them a scapegoat, someone to target their anger at.
By harassing women, they’re not just trying to assert dominance—they’re trying to convince themselves (and others) that they’re still powerful and in control.
3. Sexual Entitlement and Frustration
As society becomes more open about sex, some men have developed a warped sense of entitlement.
They see sexy women in the media, easy access to porn, the normalization of sex work, and dating apps showcasing countless women.
To them, this creates the illusion that women should always be available for sex.
When reality doesn’t match their expectations—when they’re rejected or struggle to find sexual partners—they become frustrated and angry.
Instead of seeing women as people with our own sexual desires and choices, they think we’re being unfair by not giving them something they’re entitled to.
This misplaced anger often turns into harassment, with these men lashing out at women who don’t give them the attention or sex they feel entitled to.
4. Toxic Influence of the Manosphere
The manosphere is an online space where toxic ideas about women thrive.
It started with “incels” (men who struggle to find relationships) looking for support, but quickly turned into a breeding ground of hostility towards women.
In these communities, women are painted as fake, shallow, or stuck-up simply for rejecting advances.
This resentment gave rise to movements like Pickup Artists, who teach manipulative tactics to attract women, and Men’s Rights Activists, who claim women have unfair advantages in society.
Within the manosphere, some men become famous and wealthy by creating content that’s filled with misogyny.
What’s concerning is that many of their followers are young teenage boys who look up to these men as role models and start to copy their behavior, thinking that disrespecting or harassing women is how “real men” act.
The more time men spend in these spaces, the deeper their anger toward women grows.
For many, this online hatred spills into real life, fueling harassment and reinforcing the belief that women are to blame for their struggles.
5. Growing Up Around Disrespect Toward Women
A lot of men aren’t born treating women badly—they’re taught to.
Many grow up in homes or communities where women are talked down to, dismissed, or laughed at.
Disrespect becomes so common that it barely registers.
They might see boys in school mock girls to get a laugh—or watch their father disrespect or control their mother without consequence.
As they get older, this behavior starts to feel normal.
It’s what they’ve seen, what their friends do, and what media often reinforces.
They never learn how to treat women as equals because no one expected them to.
So they fall back on what they know: teasing, interrupting, putting women down.
And unless something forces them to unlearn it, that pattern just keeps repeating.
6. Taking Out Stress and Anger on Women
Some men don’t know how to handle stress in healthy ways.
When life gets tough—whether it’s money problems, work pressure, or personal conflicts—they look for someone to take it out on.
And too often, that someone is a woman.
It’s not always about the woman they’re harassing.
Maybe they’re frustrated with a girlfriend, a boss, or even just life in general.
Instead of dealing with the root of their issues, they lash out at other women, using us as emotional punching bags.
It’s a way for them to vent their anger and regain a sense of control—but at our expense.
7. Craving Attention, Power, or Validation
For some men, harassment is a twisted way of demanding attention.
They might feel ignored or overlooked in their lives and see catcalling, inappropriate comments, or other forms of harassment as a way to make themselves visible.
When they force their presence on us—whether through a “compliment” we didn’t ask for or a crude comment—they’re trying to get a reaction.
It doesn’t matter if it’s fear, anger, or disgust.
To them, any acknowledgment means they’ve succeeded in making themselves seen.
They feed off our energy, mistaking our discomfort for validation.
How to Deal With a Man Harassing You
Aggression and violence against women are very real threats.
Being aware of these dangers also means knowing how to protect yourself and handle these situations when they arise.
Here are some tips:
Trust Your Instincts
If something feels off, trust that instinct—it’s there for a reason.
Disrespect isn’t always blatant; it can start with backhanded compliments, inappropriate jokes, or subtle digs.
For example, a guy might say, “Wow, you’re smarter than you look,” or, “It’s refreshing to meet a woman who doesn’t try too hard with her appearance.”
These comments might seem harmless on the surface, but they’re rooted in disrespect.
Pay attention to patterns and don’t feel obligated to brush it off just to seem “nice” or avoid being labeled “too sensitive.”
Your comfort and boundaries come first.
Speak Up and Set Boundaries
When a man is harassing you, calling out the behavior can be an effective first step.
Be clear, calm, and direct.
You might say, “That comment was inappropriate,” or, “Please don’t speak to me that way.”
Setting boundaries shows you’re not willing to tolerate disrespect, and it can sometimes stop the behavior immediately.
Speaking up in public also signals to others that something is wrong, which may prompt them to step in or pay closer attention to the situation.
Remember, you’re not being rude by standing up for yourself—you’re asserting your right to be treated with respect.
Don’t Get Pulled Into Arguments
Men acting out often thrive on provoking reactions.
They want to upset you or pull you into a heated exchange.
Refusing to engage takes away their power.
If someone is saying cruel or inappropriate things, stay calm, keep a neutral expression, and walk away if possible.
If you’re unable to leave, focus on something else and ignore them entirely.
Staying quiet doesn’t mean they’ve “won.”
It means you’re prioritizing your safety and saving your energy for situations that truly matter.
Ask for Help When You Need It
Whenever possible, avoid being alone with the aggressor.
Stay close to others—whether it’s coworkers, classmates, or strangers in a public space.
Being near others can make you feel safer and ensure there are witnesses if needed.
At work or school, report the harassment to HR, a supervisor, or someone in charge.
Keep detailed records of what happened—dates, times, locations, and what was said or done.
This documentation can be crucial if the situation escalates or requires formal action.
In public places, like stores or restaurants, look for a manager or a security officer.
They’re often trained to handle these situations and are responsible for ensuring customers’ safety.
If you ever feel in immediate danger, don’t hesitate to call the police.
Your safety is always the priority.
Use Technology to Stay Safe
Technology can be a powerful ally against threatening behavior.
For online bullying, take screenshots of inappropriate messages or posts before blocking or reporting the person.
Most platforms have anti-harassment policies and tools for reporting abusive behavior, which can help protect both you and others.
For in-person harassment, your phone can be just as useful.
If it’s safe, record the incident.
Many smartphones have quick gestures or shortcuts to start recording quietly, providing valuable evidence if you decide to report what happened.
Sometimes, simply taking out your phone can deter a harasser—they might stop out of fear of being recorded or exposed.
If you’re in danger, apps like Noonlight can instantly alert authorities with just a button press, giving you a quick and silent way to call for help.
Plan Your Escape When Needed
If the threatening behavior escalates and you feel unsafe, your main focus should be getting out of the situation safely.
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
In public spaces, take note of exits and think about how you’d leave if something went wrong.
When walking alone, stick to well-lit, populated areas.
If you notice someone following you, switch up your route—cross the street, head toward a busier spot, or step into a store.
Don’t hesitate to draw attention if needed.
If you’re driving and suspect someone is following you, avoid going home.
Head to a police station, fire station, or a well-lit, crowded place instead.
In parking lots, honking your horn can help alert others if you feel threatened.
Thinking ahead and being prepared can help you stay calm and confident during tense situations.
Invest in Self-Protection
Taking steps to protect yourself can feel empowering and help you move through the world with more confidence.
One way to do this is by carrying safety tools that can give you an edge in dangerous situations.
Pepper spray is a popular choice because it’s small, simple, and effective at creating the space you need to get away.
Other great options include personal alarms, keychain weapons, or stun guns.
If it’s legal where you live and you’re comfortable with the idea, you might even consider a concealed carry handgun.
Whatever you choose, it’s important to practice using it so you’re not fumbling around if you ever really need it.
Another great way to stay safe is by learning self-defense.
Techniques like Krav Maga or Muay Thai teach you how to react quickly and protect yourself if someone gets too close.
Plus, it’s not just practical—it can also be a powerful confidence booster and a fun way to get stronger.
By combining tools you trust with skills you’ve practiced, you can feel safer, stronger, and more prepared wherever you go.
Take Care of Your Mental Health
Being harassed by a man can take a toll on your mental health, leaving you feeling stressed or shaken.
It’s important to remind yourself that none of this is your fault.
You are worthy of respect, and someone else’s bad behavior reflects on them, not on you.
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, focus on activities that help you recharge.
Journaling can be a powerful way to process your feelings and release pent-up emotions.
Physical activity, like walking, dancing, or exercising, can also be a great stress reliever.
Creative outlets, such as painting, writing,or cooking, can shift your focus to something positive and enjoyable.
These moments of self-expression can help you regain balance and control.
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Don’t Deal with This Alone
You don’t have to handle mistreatment alone.
Sharing your experiences with someone you trust—a close friend, family member, or therapist—can bring relief and comfort.
Talking about what you’ve been through can help you feel validated and supported.
If you’re unsure where to turn, consider online support groups or communities.
Many of these spaces are filled with people who’ve had similar experiences and can offer advice or just a listening ear.
Knowing you have a network of people who care can make all the difference in navigating these difficult situations.
In Closing
The rise in hatred and disrespect toward women is undeniably scary, leaving many of us feeling vulnerable and anxious whether we’re online or out in the real world.
While we shouldn’t have to live in constant fear, staying aware and looking out for ourselves—and each other—is essential.
I hope this article has given you helpful advice to recognize harassment and handle it with confidence.
Remember, feeling upset or wanting to address it doesn’t mean you’re being “too sensitive.”
Aggression against women is real, and your feelings are valid.
By protecting ourselves, speaking out, and supporting one another, we can create safer spaces and push back against the behavior that tries to silence us.
Together, we can take steps toward a world where every woman feels respected and safe.
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