Don't use women to insult herbivores! (I swear this makes sense in context.)

Japanator has been running a series on the “pussification” of men in Japan. They are usually at least half-joking, of course.

But the problematic sentiment is there. Due to recent cultural trends, Japanator says that men are becoming less manly. (Oh no! Gasp! Less manly men?! The world must be ending.)

These men have been referred to as “herbivores.”

I definitely agree that some of these trends are damaging when taken to the extreme. Forming relationships socially, whether as potential romantic partners or not, is an integral part of a healthy adult life. The inability/unwillingness of these men to connect with others around them is troubling and sad.

Then again, perhaps some of these men are simply expressing themselves differently than others around them and are being labeled and cast out because of it.

But, you know what?

Criticize them and the society that helped cultivate this behavior.

Don’t use gendered insults like “pussification” to describe male behavior you don’t like!

Equating antisocial or damaging male behavior with become “a pussy” means that you are negatively associating these things with women.

Why? There’s no need for that.

FAIL.