What have we stopped noticing?
The things we say, do, and accept without thinking twice.
Look closer where it comes from, what it assumes, and the case for keeping it
What you mean by it
Telling somebody to be braver, tougher, or less upset.
What it's actually picturing
Being brave is named after being a man, which leaves everybody else named as the opposite.
What it takes for granted
That strength is male and that showing feeling is not. It asks men to hide what they feel, and in the same breath it describes women as the frightened, over-emotional version.
Worth knowing
It is almost always meant kindly, and almost always said to somebody who is already struggling.
The case for keeping it
Most people saying it mean nothing more than “be brave” and picture no gender at all, and “man” meant simply “person” in English for centuries.
Say it plainly
Be braveDig deepYou have got this
Or have some fun
Step up