Summary: Real Men Don't: Anti-Male Bias in English By: Eugene R. August

The essay "Real Men Don't: Anti-Male Bias in English" written by Eugene R. August first appeared in the University of Dayton Review winter/spring 1986-1987. This essay focuses on the exploitation and demeaning of males. August tells readers that anti-male bias are uncommon, because people commonly believe history tells of "male oppressors and female victims or rebels"(1). Also he shares the central belief among people that the world we are living in was made by man, for man and women were more or less a forethought. August unveils the thoughts of other educated people on the matter, including Walter J. Ong who tells us the way in which people learn and think is largely based on what is passed on through women. That being said the essay mentions that the use anti-male bias have been said to be "misandry, hatred of men" and "degenerates men and masculinity"(4)

August uses examples in the english language where men are being discriminated, such as in the word rape, rape is thought to be a male crime committed against females. Another example August uses taken straight form our english language are phrases like "be a man" or "real men don't". There are certain standards in which a boy or man must fit into to be considered one, is okay for a girl to be considered a "tomboy" but there is no term as accepting for a boy to be categorized as. August shares many derogatory terms males can be call for not fitting in the male standards, to which females do not typically have.

Males are also expected in a dating relationship to pick up the tab, drive and be an overall gentleman and show chivalry. In a sexual state, men are expected to make the first move and to perform or again he will be ridiculed. Also if a man marries he is expected to have a job and have the ability to support his family or more ridicule. Crime and evil are typically perceived as male. When the term suspect is used the wrongdoer is thought to be male over female. The last point August makes is that evil tends to have a masculine tendency. Most people believe that the devil is a male character, and is almost always portrayed as one.

August points out that there is a tendency to blame bad things on men, pulling all wrongs on the shoulders of men. He states there are dangers in the assumption of the common person who believes that men hold the power and women have none. The traditional male stereo-type and role limit a man, both men and women need to confront this problem and abolish it once and for all. Males and females should be thought to be one the same page and equal.