Social media loves a good trend, and this time, it’s #WomenInMaleFields taking over Instagram, X, TikTok, and even LinkedIn (because why not?). This satirical campaign calls out stereotypical toxic traits men often display, be it their words, actions, or overall personality. Women across platforms are mimicking the misogynistic, sexist, and insensitive behaviours some men parade as so-called “big dick” or “alpha male” energy.
It’s a tongue-in-cheek reaction to a patriarchal culture that seems to applaud men for their worst behaviour. Posts in the trend highlight everyday sexism with biting humour, like “Told him he was ‘asking for it’ when a woman on the street objectified him” or “Noticed he was having a bad day, so I asked if he was on his period.” Another one: “He said he’s a doctor, so I told him to focus on staying home and taking care of his wife and kids.“
If the irony stings, it’s doing its job.
#WomenInMaleFields: Why women can’t have a moment to speak up
Here’s where things get interesting. Men with the hashtag #MenInFemaleFields have now hijacked the #WomenInMaleFields trend. However, the difference in perspectives is a clear reminder of the existing gendered double standards.
Men can’t seem to let women have a moment, so they’re jumping in with posts about trivial annoyances, like “When she asks me what to order, but I just say, ‘I don’t know, whatever you want.‘” Meanwhile, women’s posts focus on serious issues, such as misogyny, gender bias, emotional neglect, domestic violence, and disrespect in relationships. It’s telling how the women’s version addresses serious, harmful issues, while the male version often goes something like, “She’s always late because she spends too much time doing her makeup.“
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It shows how when women start gaining attention or recognition for an issue, men often jump in to redirect the focus or diminish their voices. Remember the trend when women left money in baby formula and diaper packets at stores to help struggling mothers? Then, men took it a step further by damaging products just to get free money. Not only did they spoil a thoughtful act between women, but they also worsened the situation for those it was meant to help.
But then again, patriarchal society has always been like this. Constantly interrupting or overshadowing women’s experiences, making it harder for them to have the space to be heard and validated.
Behind the #WomenInMaleFields trend: The reality of women in male-dominated fields
The #WomenInMaleFields trend highlights how absurd and unfair certain behaviours can seem when the roles are reversed. Moreover, the reality for women in male-dominated industries is far from humorous. Women remain underrepresented in many sectors, with some fields being particularly tough to break into. Bias in hiring, active discrimination, and a sexist work culture continue to hold women back.
One video of this trend stands out. A woman neurology resident, as part of the trend, wrote, “He walked in wearing scrubs and introduced himself as the medical student/resident doctor. I ended my phone call saying, ‘Hang on, the nurse just got here.’” It is a subtle dig at the assumption that women in the medical field are always nurses.
Not to mention, it is even worse in male-dominated specialisations like neurology, where women are often overlooked or dismissed in senior roles. Women are severely underrepresented, especially in senior roles. Women make up only 45% of neurology trainees, 30% of practising neurologists, and only 40% of academic medicine faculty.
Some data from India
In India, women account for just 12% of the construction workforce, which is about 7 million women out of 50 million men. Globally, women make up only 10-17% of the mining workforce. In warehousing and supply chain industries, women hold just 33% of supervisor and line manager roles. Remember, if a single gender dominates an industry by more than 55%, they lack gender diversity.
While the #WomenInMaleFields trend focuses on men’s behaviour, it’s important to look at the women actually working in male-dominated industries. The data is disappointing, showing how much work is still needed to achieve true gender equality in these fields.
The final thoughts
#WomenInMaleFields kicked off as a satirical take on men’s toxic behaviours. It is clever, fun, and makes you think. But underneath the laughs, it brings attention to the exploitation, toxic masculinity, and unequal treatment of women.
As entertaining as this trend is, we can’t stop there. We must move past the joke and focus on the real-world challenges women continue to face, particularly in male-dominated occupations and industries.
References:
Habitat for Humanity India: Women Construction Workers in India
McKinsey & Company: Women in the workplace
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
