Society is not fully egalitarian but exists in a transitional state. Some men still feel entitled to traditional roles, while others model more egalitarian relationships, creating a complex and inconsistent social landscape.

Authoritarian regimes like Russia weaponize extreme examples of Western gender discourse, such as police calling male shooters 'female.' They use this to promote 'traditional values' diplomacy, portraying the West as perverse, which consolidates their soft power and hinders local LGBTQ+ rights.

Centuries of war and political purges created a severe and persistent gender imbalance in Russia. This scarcity led to men being viewed as a precious resource to be fought over and protected. Consequently, very low societal expectations were placed on them, fostering a culture of coddled men who were not incentivized to improve.

A chilling hypothesis suggests Russia's 2017 decriminalization of domestic violence was a form of social control. In an authoritarian system with a stagnant economy that emasculates men, allowing them to exert power at home serves as a "steam valve," redirecting aggression away from the state and onto their families.

While the right promotes a flawed version of masculinity, the left's common response is to suggest men adopt more feminine traits. Galloway argues this is ineffective because it fails to offer an aspirational, positive vision of masculinity, leaving many men feeling alienated and unrepresented.

Society teaches men their primary financial role is "provider." As women's earnings rise, men who earn less than their partners often feel lost when asked to define their financial identity beyond this script. This highlights a need to redefine male financial roles to include nurturer, helper, or leader.

A core masculine drive is to achieve and provide *for* a partner, not just for oneself. A relationship is at risk of implosion if the female partner views this ambition as selfish or rejects its rewards, as it invalidates a fundamental aspect of the male psychological need to contribute and protect.

Societal applause for women excelling in male domains like CEO leadership, while downplaying nurturing roles, subtly implies that masculine pursuits are inherently more valuable. This reveals a form of patronizing sexism from within progressive circles.

Society often requires men to first achieve success in traditionally masculine areas—like status, wealth, or physical strength—before they can express emotional vulnerability without being perceived as weak. These 'man points' act as an unspoken prerequisite for emotional openness to be seen as credible.