Don’t you know it isn’t politically correct to portray men in a positive light? That would be patriarchy, apparently. Male characters must always be flawed, or else it goes against the narrative that men are fundamentally flawed.
Conversely, woman characters must be perfect or else it’s sexism, but if they set unrealistic expectations then it’s still sexism. Therefore they must have at least one endearing flaw, but if it resembles a stereotype too closely then it’s sexism. Also, if you call it a flaw then you’re sexist.
The unspoken rules of 21st century fiction writing.
Don’t you know it isn’t politically correct to portray men in a positive light? That would be patriarchy, apparently. Male characters must always be flawed, or else it goes against the narrative that men are fundamentally flawed.
Conversely, woman characters must be perfect or else it’s sexism, but if they set unrealistic expectations then it’s still sexism. Therefore they must have at least one endearing flaw, but if it resembles a stereotype too closely then it’s sexism. Also, if you call it a flaw then you’re sexist.
The unspoken rules of 21st century fiction writing.