[WORD_ON_THE_WEB] 'Stop blaming individuals for social problems'

A group of young men gathered in central Seoul on Wednesday to protest policies set forth by major presidential candidates targeting men in their 20s.

These policies, which include disbanding the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, are designed to target a group of young men considered to be anti-feminist who are seen as a key voting bloc in the coming election.

But Wednesday's protesters say that not all young men hold those views, and they don't want candidates peddling sexist policies in their name. The group called for the end of the patriarchy and sexist politics and demanded that politicians and the media stop misrepresenting the views of their generation based on a small, vocal minority.

#as_it_should_be
“I support their cause. Many people spit out rash hate comments thinking they represent some group’s voice. It’s refreshing to see that there are people like this, also.”

“You’re right. We should stop blaming individuals for social problems and try to understand each other. The divisive conflict between sexes should stop.”

#not_overrepresentation
“I support the feminism movement, but frankly as a male, I can’t help but feel repulsed by what I see around me. In my opinion, the 'men in their 20s' portrayed in politics and media are not overrepresented.”

“As a man in my 20s, I can’t agree with what they’re saying. Most of my acquaintances feel the same way.”

#need_real_action
“The politicians are to blame to some extent, they've labeled ‘men in their 20s’ as a standardized group stricken with a victim mentality. Don’t make people believe some voices represent everybody.”

“Politicians should come up with solutions for this societal division, but instead they’re coming up with policies that encourage conflict. They should look for actual corrective measures.”

BY LEE SI-YEOUNG, YOO JI-WOO [yoo.jiwoo@joongang.co.kr]