Men Are More Likely To Exhibit This 1 Behavior When Other Men Are Creepy. The Reason Is Telling.

"The bystander effect describes the general tendency for people to be less likely to speak up or act in a group setting when more people are present in the situation. While both men and women can fall victim to being bystanders, a 2022 systematic review found that women are more likely to intervene in these kinds of situations than men."

"When masculinity gets defined as dominance or toughness, stepping in can feel like a trap. If you call out another guy, you risk being seen as soft. A healthier way to frame masculinity is as protecting the safety of the community. It's not about shaming the other guy; it's about showing that in your space, respect matters."

"Different masculine norms may influence men's willingness to intervene, such as confusion over what's acceptable behavior or fear of what their social peers may think if they spoke up. Speaking out against any harmful situation is not only the right thing to do, it can save lives."

Women frequently experience unwanted encounters at bars, parties, and other social settings while bystanders fail to intervene, a phenomenon known as the bystander effect. Research shows women are more likely to speak up in these situations than men. Masculine norms significantly influence men's reluctance to act, including concerns about appearing weak to peers and uncertainty about appropriate responses. Reframing masculinity as community protection rather than dominance encourages intervention. Speaking out against harmful behavior is both morally right and potentially life-saving. Socialization patterns play a key role in explaining why men remain silent during uncomfortable social situations.

Read at HuffPost