By: Rainy “Country Cutie” Cates
We’re living in the age of the Sassy Apocalypse. Yes, you read that right — a world where men are trading in their traditional masculinity for a soft, cuddly version of femininity. And I’m not just talking about wearing nail polish or putting on a silk robe for your late-night Zoom call. This shift goes deeper. It’s a cultural reckoning that’s changing the way men court, love, and even think about their place in a relationship.
But hold on, before you send me hate mail, let’s be clear. This isn’t an attack on the soft, emotionally in-touch man. Far from it. It’s a commentary on the way traditional gender roles are blurring and whether men, as a whole, are doing enough to stay indispensable in an increasingly independent world.
For those of you who are just now waking up from your social media hiatus, let me give you a quick rundown on the term “Sassy Apocalypse.” According to the Urban Dictionary (that trusty millennial bible), it’s defined as:
“The chaotic and often comedic breakdown of traditional gender roles, where women become empowered, men become overly emotional, and everyone’s left wondering who’s in charge anymore.”
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Basically, it’s the end of the world as we knew it — where the lines between who’s supposed to be “in charge” and who’s supposed to be “submissive” are officially blurred. And honey, we’re living it.
Let’s face it — women have made monumental strides over the last decade. From taking full control of their bodies to dismantling societal expectations of how they should behave, the modern woman is carving out a lane that doesn’t require a man’s approval. Women are unapologetically owning their sexuality (and rightfully so), making their own money, and calling the shots in relationships. Yet, amidst this wave of independence, one question lingers: Have women gotten too independent? Or have men just gotten lazy?
Cue the cringe-worthy moment: men seem to be walking around with the understanding that their place in a woman’s life is as optional as an “Add to Cart” button on a fashion website. Case in point: Apryl Jones.
For those of you who don’t know, Apryl Jones is the mother of Omarion’s children and, at one point, the rumored girlfriend of Tay Diggs. She’s a popular reality star who’s no stranger to the social media spotlight. Apryl recently went live on Instagram and called out a man who asked her to visit him — while expecting her to pay for her own plane ticket. Let that sink in. You heard me.
Now, let’s be clear — there’s no shame in a woman paying her own way. But the fact that this man, in his infinite wisdom, thought this was a reasonable request in 2024 tells you everything you need to know about how some men think they can skip the courtship stage and dive straight into a Netflix and Chill scenario.
So what happened? Apryl wasn’t having it. She called out the man for his lack of effort, highlighting the fact that, as a grown woman with her own business, the days of men expecting women to chase after them, beg for attention, or pay for their own seat at the table are over. And, honestly, she’s not the only one saying it.
Let’s talk about courting — yes, that old-fashioned concept where a man actually puts in some effort before asking a woman to drop her guard and invest in him emotionally (and maybe financially). Are men even courting anymore? Or have we all just gotten too busy swiping left and right, hopping from one situation-ship to the next?
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From the looks of it, many men have forgotten what it means to “court” a woman. They’re too busy Netflix-ing and chilling to understand the importance of showing up for a date with something beyond a half-hearted “You up?” text at midnight. And, to make matters worse, women are not sitting around waiting for their phone to buzz. Women are out here getting their own bags and questioning why they should offer loyalty or exclusivity when there’s little effort on the other side.
Let’s break it down: Men, the bar is low. We’re talking “couldn’t trip over it if we tried” low. A genuine effort, a thoughtful gesture, and a clear sense of what you want — that’s what makes a man truly indispensable in 2024.
But no, it seems many men are just comfy in their complacency. Maybe they think women will always “need” them for something. Maybe they’re resting on their laurels because, once upon a time, they were the gatekeepers to everything — from relationships to… well, sex. But in 2024, women are gatekeepers to their own happiness, success, and sexual agency. If you want to be “the man” in her life, you better show her what makes you valuable beyond a shared Netflix password.
Let’s get real: If men aren’t bringing more than just their presence to the table, they’re quickly becoming obsolete. Women don’t need a man to “save” them anymore, but they do need someone who can add something to their already full lives. The days of transactional relationships based on “I’ll take care of you if you take care of me” are fading fast. The new relationship game requires a man to be innovative, emotionally available, and, dare I say it, active in the pursuit.
Because let’s face it, ladies — this dating pool is a whole mess. It’s like drinking the toxic sludge in The Hunger Games. Everyone takes a sip, and suddenly, we’re all in a competition for survival. You get the prize, and, somehow, you’re supposed to feel special about it. The men who can’t step up? They’ll just be swimming in that toxic pool, hoping someone notices their charming smile and smooth talk.
It’s clear: the dating pool has a little bit of toxicity in it. And honestly, I think everyone’s swimming in it at this point. Men, you’re going to have to get out of your feelings and put some real effort into proving why you deserve the title of the prize. Women are getting their own bags and getting comfortable doing things by themselves. So if you want to be indispensable, you’ve got to do more than just show up looking cute. It’s 2024, and women are winning. You either rise to the occasion, or you’ll be left behind with all the other faded “Netflix & Chill” proposals.
But, hey, good luck out there. Stay safe, ladies… and gentlemen.
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