User:One tin soldier/notallmen

"Not all X" is a knee jerk expression arising out of social criticism of situations that largely fall at the feet of one particular group. Usually, the "Not all X" syndrome is expressed by persons in the majority or privileged position when a harmed minority attempts to bring a topic into the open and analyze it, by discuss the reality, the prevalence, the severity, ect. of the harm. The problem with the "Not all X" defense is that it takes focus away from the voices of those trying to change the social conditions, and attempts to return focus onto those who are in the position of privileged, those who are part of the group being challenged.

Not all men. A classic and rather powerful example of the "not all X" syndrome relates to discussions of women's experience with rape, rape culture, domestic abuse, and a more general sexual harassment and objectification. As women discuss their experiences, or their out right criticism of the culture at large, the knee jerk reaction from some men is that Not All Men are like this!!! Rather than listen to women say they feel as if all or most men objectify them, rather than focus on the conditions in society that make women uncomfortable on a bus, or in an elevator, or growing breasts; rather than acknowledging that it is a real issue for women, the "Not all Men" voices say, "Well, I've never done that". which feels a lot like "but look at me, notice me, stop focusing on yourselves".

There is a real problem with the "Not all men" defense, and that is this: if society has framed social interactions in such a way that women are objectified as the norm, and if society has taught men that women are prizes to be fought over and won, and if society has reinforced roles that make men the leaders, the "deciders", and the voice then odds are it really is true that "yes all men", because social norms go deep, and most of us react without thought because that's what humans do.