Sean Penn Thinks Men Are Cowards For Supporting Women

Sean Penn’s misogynist comment suggests that surrendering masculinity in the name of supporting women is cowardice. In his interview with The Independent, Penn mentioned that men are becoming more effeminate while supporting feminism. How does supporting a cause makes one more feminine and less of a man? *Sighs in disappointment*

In an interview with The Independent, Sean Penn’s misogynist comment has led to criticism against his old-school prejudicial and rigid ideas about masculinity. Promoting his upcoming film Flag Day, he stated that men have become more effeminate while supporting the cause of feminism which is cowardly in his view.

The sixty-one-year-old American actor, Sean Penn is a two-time Academy Award winner who is also a director, screenwriter and producer in Hollywood.

Penn’s thirty-one-year-old daughter Dylan Penn, who will also be seen along with him in Flag Day was present when her dad talked about the diminishing masculinity of men as they ‘surrender their jeans to put on skirts’.

Sean Penn’s misogynist comment on surrendering masculinity

In his interview, Penn said, “I think that men have, in my view, become quite feminised.” Expressing his disappointment with men sensitised towards the cause of women, he further added, “There are a lot of, I think, cowardly genes that lead to people surrendering their jeans and putting on a skirt.”

Looking back at his history with feminism, Penn has had rigid and controversial views about the 2018 #MeToo Movement as well which he described as “not intellectually honest.” While defending the accused of sexual harassment, he alleged that the movement was “led by mania”.

Suggested Reading: How Internalised Misogyny Breaks Indian Women

In order to extend his support to the alleged abusers, he wrote a poem which was published as an epilogue to his debut novel Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff, where the actor has defended the accused including talk show host Charlie Rose and comedian Louis CK.

Does Sean Penn Know He Is A Misogynists Or Does He Not Care?

Holding the power of influencing thousands or even millions of people across the globe, it becomes a responsibility to propagate the right views and ideas to avoid hampering or hurting the cause of a community.

Sean Penn’s idea of masculinity seems rigid and stereotypical while his stand on feminism only advocates misogyny and prejudice against womanhood.

How does one get 'feminised'  just because they support women for their rights and causes?

Women are a strong community of able and independent individuals and after years of oppression and subjection to patriarchal ideas, they are trying to establish their stand in the society. A man’s masculinity isn’t measured by his authority over women or his assertiveness in the society. Clothes aren’t a parameter that decide one’s gender traits. I am just as much of a woman in jeans as I am in a skirt.

Views expressed by the author are their own.