To understand why gender stereotypes exist and how they fall in line with what is considered offensive, on any relativity scale, we must first look at the social context within which we exist. We can argue that power is the main proponent that brings these social divisions into existence and why they continue to be maintained. In looking towards these intersections of power and how that relates to gender, we can see that men in general benefit from social division. This systemic form of oppressive violence is called the patriarchy. Men are given more access, more privilege, and more value. A man must be masculine to climb up the hierarchy, and in turn domination is assigned to be a highly valued masculine trait. Authority that is gained can only be found through domination of the other, in such a way that adopting traits to gain authority will inform patriarchal standards of being, and vice versa. Patriarchy enforces roles that encourage men to control things that are deemed weaker or lower in the hierarchy. Within the standard of patriarchal masculinity, it also leads some men to punish others for any form of deviance from the gender binary, such as accusing them of being less than a man (i.e. insults implying homosexuality or womanliness), which is another example of how the gender dichotomy is based on power.
Despite how imprisoned we may feel operating under the gender binary, the fact of the matter is interacting with violence will always be a nebulous experience because of the very nature of violence. It can seem productive at first to assign any one finality to one social role over the other, yet the protection we're looking for cannot be found in further social division. We need to address the false stereotypes that have us bound and bending one to power structures that control our sense of agency. As strict, rigid divisions of mutually exclusive genders demand violence from one another, so can we implement ways to offer solutions to more equal infrastructures. This binary system, the gender dichotomy, is what patriarchy, homophobia, and transphobia has been based on.
I believe that gender stereotyping is harmful and offensive to females, males, and to those who consider themselves gender neutral. Everyone suffers when they are not allowed to freely express themselves because of societal constraints. However, I submit that women and gender neutral folks probably experience more discrimination than men. Gender stereotyping is harmful for many reasons, but mainly because it allows that what is okay for one gender is not okay for another. For example, women and girls are allowed to cry and be vulnerable with friends, while men may be mocked for being openly emotional. Another example is that boys are often encouraged to be strong, resilient, and self-sufficient, while girls are often taught to be modest and demure. This divide can become deeper during puberty, when sexuality comes into play; boys are sometimes viewed as predators and girls as potential targets. This stereotyping is damaging to both men and women, because it creates confusion and misunderstanding on both sides, as well as the potential for real physical harm for women. Men oftentimes have to deal with the stigma of being seen as a threat to women, which can discourage them from forming truly healthy relationships with women. However, the public perception of men as the "breadwinner" (an old-fashioned and outdated notion to be sure) is also harmful to women; the fact that women are still paid 20% less than men for doing the exact same job is just one way in which women suffer disproportionally when gender stereotypes are in play. People who identify as non-gender specific suffer as well, as they are often discriminated against in the healthcare marketplace, in the workplace, and in family settings.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/parenting-purpose/201803/strict-gender-roles-hurt-men-too
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