By: Rainy “Country Cutie” Cates
We live in his time Sassy Apocalypse. Yes, you read that right — a world where men trade their traditional masculinity for a soft, graceful version of femininity. And I’m not just referring to wearing nail polish or donning a silk robe for that late-night Zoom call. This stanza goes deeper. It’s a cultural reckoning that’s changing the way men flirt, love, and even think about their place in a relationship.
But hang on, before you send me hate mail, let’s be clear. This is not an attack on the soft, emotionally in touch man. Far from it. It’s a commentary on how traditional gender roles are blurring and whether men, as a whole, are doing enough to remain relevant in an increasingly independent world.
For those of you just waking up from your social media hiatus, let me give you a brief rundown of the term “Reveal.” According to the Urban Dictionary (that trusty millennial bible), it is defined as:
“The chaotic and often comic breakdown of traditional gender roles, where women are empowered, men become overly emotional, and everyone wonders who’s in charge anymore.”
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Basically, it’s the end of the world as we know it – where the lines between who’s supposed to be “in charge” and who’s supposed to be “subservient” are officially blurred. And my love, we live it.
Let’s face it – women have made monumental strides in the past decade. From taking complete control of their bodies to doing away with societal expectations of how they should behave, the modern woman is blazing a trail that doesn’t require a man’s approval. Women unapologetically own their sexuality (and rightfully so), make their own money, and do their own thing in relationships. However, amid this wave of independence, one question remains: Have women become too independent? Or are men just lazy?
Cue the cringe-worthy moment: men seem to walk around with the understanding that their place in a woman’s life is as optional as an “Add to Cart” button on a fashion website. Case in point: Apryl Jones.
For those of you who don’t know, Apryl Jones is the mother of Omarion’s children and, at one point, the rumored girlfriend of Tay Diggs. She is a popular reality star who is no stranger to the social media spotlight. Apryl recently went live on Instagram and called out a man who asked her to visit him – while waiting her to pay for her own plane ticket. Let it sink in. You heard me.
Now, let’s be clear – there’s no shame in a woman paying her own way. But the fact that this man, in his infinite wisdom, thought this was a reasonable request in 2024 tells you everything you need to know about how some men think they can skip the courtship stage and dive straight into a Netflix and Chill scenario.
So what happened? Apryl wasn’t having it. She called the man out for his lack of effort, highlighting the fact that, as a grown woman with her own business, the days of men expecting women to chase them, ask for attention, or pay for their seat at the table are over. And, frankly, she’s not the only one who says so.
Let’s talk about flirting — yes, that old-fashioned idea where a man actually he puts in some effort before asking a woman to let her guard down and invest in him emotionally (and maybe financially). Do men flirt anymore? Or are we all too busy swiping left and right, jumping from one status to another?
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From the looks of it, many men have forgotten what it means to “fight” a woman. They are very busy Netflix-ing and creepy to understand the importance of showing up to a date with something more than a half-hearted “Are you up?” text at midnight. And, to make matters worse, women are not they sit around waiting for their phone to buzz. Women are out here to take their own bags and they wonder why they should offer loyalty or exclusivity when there is little effort on the other side.
Let’s break it down: Men, the forearm is low. We’re talking “couldn’t trip it if we tried” low. A genuine effort, a thoughtful gesture and a clear feeling what you want — that’s what makes a man truly indispensable in 2024.
But no, it seems many men are just comfortable in their complacency. Maybe they think women will always “need” them for something. Perhaps they are resting on their laurels because, once upon a time, they were the guardians of everything — from relationships to… sex. But in 2024, women are the custodians of their own happiness, success, and sexuality. If you want to be “the man” in her life, you better show her what makes you valuable beyond a shared Netflix password.
Let’s be real: If men don’t bring more than presence to the table, they quickly become obsolete. Women no longer need a man to “save” them, but they need someone who can add something to their already full lives. The days of transactional relationships based on “I’ll take care of you if you take care of me” are fading fast. The new relationship game requires a man to be innovative, emotionally available and, dare I say it, active in pursuit.
Because let’s face it, ladies — this dating pool is a total mess. It’s like drinking the toxic mud The Hunger Games. Everyone takes a sip, and suddenly, we’re all in a competition for survival. You get the prize and, in a way, you have to get it touch special about it. The men who can’t climb? They’ll just swim in that toxic pool, hoping someone will notice their charming smile and smooth conversation.
It’s clear: the dating pool is small toxicity in it. And honestly, I think everyone is swimming in it at this point. Men, you should get out of your emotions and put in a real effort to prove why you deserve the title of the prize. Women take their own bags and feel comfortable doing things on their own. So if you want to be needed, you have to do more than just look cute. It’s 2024 and women are winning. Either rise to the occasion, or be left behind with all the other faded ‘Netflix & Chill’ suggestions.
But, hey, good luck out there. Stay safe, ladies… and gentlemen.
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