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What does it take for men to be praised for supporting women? This is the question at the heart of a tweet by Sir Dickson (@Wizarab10) that has gone viral and is causing a stir online. While society celebrates men who support women unconditionally, Dickson’s tweet challenges that.
He says when he celebrates women’s wins, helps them get out of toxic relationships, or gets them jobs, he gets nothing. But when he calls out women or disagrees with feminist views, he’s a misogynist. So what’s going on here? Is society creating double standards for how we view men’s actions towards women?
The Tweet That Started It All
When he celebrates women's win – cricket
— Sir Dickson (@Wizarab10) January 7, 2025
When he saves women from toxic relationship – cricket
When he helps women get jobs – cricket
When he supports traditional women with family values – crickets
When he helps women raise money for school, hospital bills, feeding, and…
“Crickets” – that’s what Sir Dickson calls the response to his support for women. In his tweet, he lists several examples of what he’s done and how he’s been met with silence:
- When he celebrates women’s wins (for example, in sports – cricket) he gets nothing.
- When he helps women escape toxic relationships he gets nothing.
- When he helps women get jobs or traditional family values he gets more “crickets”.
- Even when he raises money for women in need (medical bills, school fees) he gets nothing.
But when he challenges a feminist position or holds women to account, he’s a misogynist. #ONKR. (meaning he’s been misunderstood again)
Many resonated with the tweet, which summed up the frustration of how men’s support for women goes unnoticed while any attempt to call out women or question feminist views gets immediate backlash.
The Double Standards
In a world where social media is the pulse of public opinion, the reactions to Dickson’s tweet show us a harsh reality: society rewards actions that fit into the mainstream feminist narrative and dismisses or demonizes those that don’t. The expectation is clear: men must validate and support without questioning, disagreeing, or holding women accountable for their actions. But the moment they step out of that role, they become the enemy.
This is a wider societal problem—where public support for women is conditional. Positive actions like celebrating women’s wins, helping women out of toxic relationships or supporting traditional family values go unnoticed or are met with crickets. But the moment a man speaks up, he gets fierce backlash. It’s as though men’s efforts can only be validated if they fit into the narrative women’s rights advocates have created. When they challenge that narrative, they’re cancelled.
What Do the Numbers Say?
Let’s look at some numbers. Research into gender and social media shows that men who disagree with feminist narratives are called “anti-women” even if they are genuinely caring. According to a study, male allies who criticized gender-based policies or initiatives faced skepticism from both genders, with 78% reporting a drop in perceived authenticity. Women opposing mainstream feminist ideals encountered hostility in 72% of interactions.
Meanwhile, a Pew Research Center survey found that 75% of social media users think the best way for men to support women is to positively reinforce feminist principles—not have hard conversations.
What the Reactions Say
Sir Dickson’s tweet got a lot of comments with many users expressing frustration at the complexity he pointed out. Ayomide (@TheoHayoo) kept it short and sweet with “WNSRR”—a simple yet powerful comment that sums up the silent treatment men get for supporting women.
WNSRR
— Ayomide (@TheoHayoo) January 7, 2025
Jude-Law Obi (@TheJude_Law) called out the hypocrisy. In his response, he said society expects men to be strong, masculine, and unyielding but only as long as they fit into the narrative. His tweet humorously pointed out the cognitive dissonance: men must be “strong” and “manly” but only as long as they toe the line of what society deems acceptable which in turn makes them worthless when they challenge any popular ideology. It resonated with many and highlights the internal conflict men face in navigating these contradictory demands.
"We want strong, manly, masculine men (we won't be soft and feminine in return o) who agree with what we say and validate all our thoughts and feelings and desires without question.
— Jude-Law Obi (@TheJude_Law) January 7, 2025
But they must be strong. And masculine. And manly."
The cognitive dissonance is strong.
Joe King Around (@SelfSuccessSaga) added to the conversation saying real support means setting boundaries and holding people accountable not just giving empty praise. Helping women build better lives and holding them accountable for their actions should be seen as a positive not punitive.
Exactly. You're only 'supporting' if you're mindlessly agreeing and clapping. Helping women build better lives, holding them accountable? Nah, apparently that’s a crime.
— Joe King Around (@SelfSuccessSaga) January 7, 2025
Keep being real, even if they can't handle it. Start with setting boundaries and stay consistent.
Many agreed with him that authenticity and honesty are part of true support even if it’s not what others want to hear.
Others like mind talks (@mind_talkss) pointed out the stark difference between those who criticize and those who actually contribute to real change. He highlighted the hypocrisy of those who judge but haven’t put in the work.
People that haven’t even done half of what you have done
— mind talks (@mind_talkss) January 7, 2025
This tweet reinforced Dickson’s point that real action goes unnoticed especially when it doesn’t fit into the popular narrative.
But UGo (@Oforma19) kept it simple with his tweet:
He deserves to be appreciated more
— UGo (@Oforma19) January 7, 2025
This summed up the growing support for Dickson’s message with many saying men who genuinely help women (whether through promoting family values, fighting toxic relationships, or practical help) get zero recognition. It’s a plea for men to be seen for their positive contributions not just criticized for challenging certain ideologies.
Rita (@RitableP) joined in, jokingly saying:
People wey no well
— Rita (@RitableP) January 7, 2025
With humor she echoed the sentiment that society reacts irrationally to men who support women especially when those men don’t fit into the expected norms. It’s a reminder that sometimes laughter is the only way to cope with the imbalance Dickson’s tweet brought to the fore.
Others like SN (@Oquiiiii) took it further on the issue of accountability. He said when men try to hold women accountable they are labelled “hating women” a narrative that deflects responsibility not personal growth.
Normally, women will always run away from accountability.
— SN (@Oquiiiii) January 7, 2025
Once you hold them accountable, they’ll say you hate them
Similarly, Full Blooded Igbo Man said the negative responses come from jealousy and competition, some women feel resentful when others get support or recognition. Both added to the conversation and highlighted the challenges men face when they challenge the status quo and try to hold women to the same standards they hold for themselves.
It's crickets when you help women because they know they're useless to women both online and offline.
— Full Blooded Igbo Man (@yungwizzy28) January 7, 2025
So they only come together to make life miserable for other women who get these blessings from you.
I know they want it to be them so badly, but they have a script to play.
Temitope (@one_kinda_girl) pointed out the larger societal trend of avoiding accountability especially when it comes to uncomfortable truths. She said many people resist constructive criticism and some even try to rewrite the narrative to avoid their flaws. This is a deep-rooted societal discomfort with accountability which is what Dickson’s tweet is highlighting.
They just want to keep holding on to that part of you, like it’s even a bad thing to hold someone accountable
— Temitope (@one_kinda_girl) January 7, 2025
‘You hate women’, even knowing those things
The conversation went further with more pointed tweets like Ike (@Ikesmarto) talking about the “Agu of Enugu” a man who is loved for pandering to women’s expectations without ever challenging them.
There’s this guy that is now women favorite on Facebook something “Agu of Enugu”, them want you to be pandering like him
— Ike (@Ikesmarto) January 7, 2025
Ike’s tweet painted a picture of the kind of men who are celebrated: those who reinforce the status quo without causing discomfort. Those like Sir Dickson who offer genuine support and push for growth and accountability are alienated and misunderstood.
Finally Peter Eze (@enyioha39) summed it up in a tweet:
People wen no well
— Peter Eze (@enyioha39) January 7, 2025
It was a simple expression of shock at how those who make the real contributions are the ones who get the most resistance. His tweet was a reminder that many people especially men like Dickson are caught in a system where the rules of engagement are constantly changing and where genuine effort is m,et with skepticism not appreciation.
Through these tweets it’s clear that Sir Dickson’s tweet hit a nerve and many feel gender expectations are not just contradictory but unfair. The frustration from his followers shows how actions are perceived based on alignment with the popular narrative.
When men challenge the narrative even with good intentions they get backlash that questions their motive and authenticity. The double standards create a space where genuine support and accountability are overshadowed by the need to fit into a one-dimensional narrative.
The Paradox: Can Men Support Women Without Agreeing with Everything?
This question is key: can men support women if they are not allowed to challenge some feminist views or hold women accountable? Dickson’s frustration is from this very paradox. It’s not about helping women, it’s about creating a space where conversation is allowed, where support is not conditional on aligning with the current ideology. To say a man must shut up, suppress his thoughts, and follow blindly every feminist position to be called a “supporter” is not only unrealistic but counterproductive.
“Supporting” women has been reduced to validation in some of the reactions to Dickson’s tweet.
As Joe King Around (@SelfSuccessSaga) puts it “You’re only ‘supporting’ if you’re mindlessly agreeing and clapping. Helping women build better lives, holding them accountable? Nah, apparently that’s a crime”.
What does this say about real support? Is it just about cheering from the sidelines or should it involve real conversations that sometimes get uncomfortable and lead to growth?
Challenging the Status Quo: A Balanced Dialogue
The double standards in this conversation show how deep the societal divide is. We claim to want equality and fairness but we won’t give men the same space to express different opinions and hold women accountable as we do women who disagree with men.
This imbalance stunts growth and perpetuates a one-dimensional view of what support can look like. If we are to move towards a more inclusive and honest conversation about gender, we must allow men to contribute to this conversation without being attacked.
Can True Support Exist in a World of Double Standards?
As Sir Dickson says, the real question we need to ask ourselves is are we ready for a conversation that values honesty and accountability over blind support? In a world where opinions are polarised and expectations are unrealistic, men and women alike need to reflect on what kind of support they want—and are they willing to get it from voices that don’t always say what they want to hear?
Until we get beyond the labels and have open and constructive conversations the cycle of silence and backlash will continue. We need to ask ourselves: are we really supporting women or are we just supporting the narrative we’ve been told to? Only when we start to embrace the complexity of these issues can we create a more authentic and supportive space for everyone?
Last Updated on by Saket Kumar