When something is created for men and boys, women and girls learn to use it and adapt it to our needs. When it’s the other way around, the gents always need a “manly” version. What gives? Why can’t you use a product that was originally intended for women without sacrificing your so-called balls?

I write this for two reasons.

One was the emergence of dude-Pinterest wannabes. When Pinterest first got going, it attracted a more female-centric audience. The whole idea behind Pinterest itself is completely unisex. My personal definition of Pinterest (a platform that is an online corkboard; saving ideas, photos, etc. that can be found all in one place) doesn’t set it as a female or male system. However, because women started using Pinterest more, it became a “female” thing. Now, from my personal experience in Social Media, we all know these dude versions will never last or suffice. Pinterest lucked out, at the right place and the right time. But the idea that there needs to be a male counterpart still unnerves me.

Two was a compliment I gave the other day to a male acquaintance of mine. He was rocking a ferocious pinky ring that reminded me of this. I told him it was very Beyonce and he took offence. I never meant it as you are very feminine, like Beyonce but more along the lines of you are very fierce, like Beyonce. In addition, if someone was to tell me I was BAMF-y like Jay-Z, I would be honored. So why shouldn’t the opposite work for men?

The fact that these minor issues still exist is why I’m feminist. These incidents are small battles. To some, they might not be worth fighting. But if we can change the mentality for little things, the bigger issues will be easier to tackle.