10 Challenges Women Face That Men Will Never Understand Or Deal With

Grasping the daily barriers women face is something only a woman can fully comprehend. Despite our attempts to explain, men can’t fully fathom our experiences because their realities are shaped differently.

This different world is designed around men’s needs. Although women now have greater rights than in the past, we’re still not seen as equals or treated with the respect we deserve.

Unfortunately, equality with men remains a distant goal. That’s just one of many issues we encounter daily.

However, when men show a willingness to understand and seriously listen to our challenges, it marks a significant step towards nurturing a more compassionate society.

Chris Perry sought insights into these very struggles in his post on Threads, sparking over 1,000 comments! Here’s what women had to say.

1. Complex menstrual cycle and period pain

A greater knowledge of female biology would surely foster better understanding. We’re often dismissed as exaggerating our period-related issues, but the truth is, they’re significant.

I’d challenge any man to manage the severe pain we often work through during periods, and still keep up with day-to-day responsibilities. While we can’t eliminate periods, we can strive to make these experiences more bearable for women.

2. Unequal opportunities and rights

We often have to work twice as hard to receive recognition or praise that men might get for doing less. The disparity in the workplace is incredibly frustrating, and often, men are not asked to sacrifice their careers for family in the way women are.

I too would love to have a child if it didn’t mean putting my entire life on hold.

3. Daily mental load and constant worry

It amazes me how men can switch off their thoughts and worries so easily, something I reckon every woman would relish, even if just for a day. Women constantly bear the mental burden for everyone, yet this often goes unacknowledged.

4. Doing all the work yet not being appreciated

In interviews with children about who does what at home, they often note their mom handles cooking, cleaning, and more, while dad relaxes. Some find this amusing, but it’s actually rather sad.

Women handle everything and face far greater expectations. Men receive undue praise for merely handling basic parental duties, an accolade women rarely receive.

5. Always hearing we have it easier

Despite all our efforts and barriers, men still claim we have it easier. We tend to under-communicate our struggles, which perhaps leads others to assume we face fewer challenges.

While the sole expectation from men is often just to provide—an already fading concept—they still manage to portray themselves as the aggrieved party.

6. Pregnancy and birth

The challenges of pregnancy and the lack of support from partners are daunting, not to mention the disturbing trend of men dictating decisions about women’s bodies.

It’s appalling that men legislate on abortion rights but stay silent on broader issues.

7. Not being taken seriously

If we received a dollar every time we were condescendingly explained to by a man, we could colonize a new planet and live independently of men!

Men are routinely trusted and command more respect, while women must go to great lengths to be taken seriously, even concerning their health.

8. Underrepresentation in medical research

The lack of female representation in medical studies is alarming. This often leads to delayed or inaccurate diagnoses for women, as early research largely ignored female subjects.

Initially, studying women’s bodies was deemed inappropriate, so most established science relied on male models.

9. A world that revolves around men

Were you aware that women are 73% more likely to be injured in car accidents because female crash dummies were introduced so late? The world is fundamentally crafted around men, so it’s incorrect to suggest women have it easier.

10. Constant fear for safety

We long for the freedom to walk alone at night without fear, to enjoy music without being hyper-alert. It’s draining and unjust. Women feel increasingly unsafe, a reality exacerbated by frequent assaults and other dangers.

The hurdles women face are deeply embedded in our culture. Yet, if more men were open to change and set aside their biases, we could shape a better world for all future generations.