History Analysis / MenAreTheExpendableGender

Being viewed as less sympathetic than women by default has obvious UnfortunateImplications for men: in general, it is more socially acceptable for women to seek help or support from others, and they're more likely to actually get it. More than that, though, this trope contributes to systematic social problems that disproportionately affect men. Men are more likely than women to be homeless, commit suicide, and to be victims of violent crime. Many countries, though no longer all, refuse to officially assign female troops to combat units (although non-combat troops frequently do end up in combat anyway); not only is every army in the world willing to put men on the front lines, men are often considered to have [[ARealManIsAKiller an obligation to defend their country in combat]] and may be pressured to join up, or even conscripted. Outside of war, men are often [[WhatMeasureIsANonBadass viewed as cowards]] if they [[NonActionGuy shrink from fistfights]], and if a man and woman are attacked by a criminal, he tends to be viewed as [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl responsible for protecting her]], regardless of whether or not she's actually more capable. [[DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale A man facing a problem]] like DomesticAbuse is often either [[AllAbusersAreMale actively disbelieved]] if he goes to the authorities, or told that [[HenpeckedHusband he ought to be able]] to [[MenDontCry handle it on his own]]; if he does get help, he's likely to [[IWasBeatenByAGirl feel ashamed of it]]. Due to the prevalent prejudice of [[TheUnfairSex women being in the right by default]], finding proper support is not easy. [[MortonsFork This leads to]] the FridgeLogic of an abused man being expected to take care of himself, but if he does and defends himself, then he's a total bastard for raising a hand against a female, and if he doesn't, then he's a coward and doesn't deserve sympathy.

Media in which death is unrealistically sanitary--any death that involves no wounding, little blood or is offscreen and only alluded to--may approach a 50-50 gender split for deaths as these deaths don't involve {{gorn}}. Female death in these series will be often be long, tragic, noble, meaningful and/or beautiful - sometimes in [[MaleGaze sexualized ways]] - but always [[BeautyIsNeverTarnished unblemished]]. Male death will often be atmospheric and mostly unremarked upon.

A male character can elevate himself to the status of a female extra through sympathetic characterization--thus earning himself a noteworthy death--but female characters always start with audience sympathy. Conversely, a female character can lose audience sympathy through actively unsympathetic characterization. Even so, villainous female characters are often treated as less genuinely evil than male villains, scoring more [[KarmaHoudini Get Of Jail Free cards]] and [[HighHeelFaceTurn convenient redemptions]]. Female characters also have to act far worse to lose this kind of sympathy, and are more often given [[FreudianExcuse an excuse]] for their bad behavior. Namely, a female character only crosses the line if she [[WouldHurtAChild targets children for death]], especially if she does the killing herself, or if she openly admits to [[GoodGirlsAvoidAbortion have had an abortion]] and isn't constantly angsting about it - the last one as much because of other women's opinions as men's.

#Was her killer a male protagonist and did he retain audience sympathy?

In RealLife, this trope can also be outright nasty - forcing men to take unnecessary risks and work themselves into poor health and an early grave, whilst limiting opportunities for women and forcing them into [[AcceptableFeminineGoalsAndTraits "feminine" jobs]]. This all ties in with the idea of the [[DamselInDistress helpless, childlike woman]] who has little responsibility but the raising of children and the [[TestosteronePoisoning manly man]] who works himself to an early grave so she never has to. Women who {{defied|Trope}} this were oft met with scorn from both their [[TheChick less-proactive peers]], who will judge her for failing to act upon her gender role as a woman and ridiculed by men for daring to imagine that a frail woman could hope to perform masculine tasks as well as a man. A woman may be praised for doing something masculine and no one may care if she wears male clothing. If a man dresses up like a woman and attempts to step into traditionally female roles, such as being a nurse, elementary teacher or stay-at-home parent then [[FemininityIsBad he can expect to be mocked]] for being a "girl/fag" or told that he needs to "man up".

However, there has been a gradual but genuine shift in attitudes. Audiences today are more likely to deride [[TheChick female characters who don't put themselves at risk for their allies]] as TheLoad or a DamselScrappy. Modern works are therefore slowly becoming more likely to depict female characters who [[BattleCouple go into dangerous situations alongside their male partners]], or even who [[ViolentlyProtectiveGirlfriend are physically protective of their male partners]], without portraying this as [[NoGuyWantsAnAmazon making the male partner in question less manly and sympathetic]]. They are also becoming more likely to portray [[NonActionGuy male characters who aren't traditionally manly]] as sympathetic characters.

When it's time for a character to hit the big one, either by a freak accident or by [[HeroicSacrifice nobly sacrificing]] themselves, writers go about the situation as if it were a pickle jar: get a man to do it. If [[KillEmAll the entire cast has to die]], men will go first. However, this phenomenon is much more noticeable with extras; if large amounts of anonymous people have to die to demonstrate the severity of a threat, they will be men. Due to the dual influence of this trope and MenAreGenericWomenAreSpecial, it's ''especially'' common for armies of disposable {{Mooks}} or RedShirts to be composed solely of males.

You can also see a somewhat similar dynamic playing out with portrayals of racial and other minorities, who, like women, are often portrayed as perfect politically correct saints and victims, and are therefore reduced to passive props in stories about more dynamic and flawed white/able-bodied/middle-class/heterosexual/etc. protagonists: compare TokenMinority, MagicalNegro, MagicalQueer, TokenBlackFriend, GayBestFriend, GoingNative, InspirationallyDisadvantaged, PositiveDiscrimination, DisposableWoman and MightyWhitey. However there is a subtle distinction with the portrayal of minority characters: if they are male they still aren't afforded the same physical protections as female characters. See BlackDudeDiesFirst.

Women do get killed in pointless ways that serve only as a [[DisposableWoman plot device]], usually simply to [[StuffedIntoTheFridge provide a conveniently sympathetic motivation for a male character]]. Killing a man does not work as well precisely because the audience does not view the death of anonymous men as tragic or horrifying. Which leads into:

* StuffedIntoTheFridge

Being viewed as less sympathetic than women by default has obvious UnfortunateImplications for men: in general, it is more socially acceptable for women to seek help or support from others, and they're more likely to actually get it. More than that, though, this trope contributes to systematic social problems that disproportionately affect men. Men are more likely than women to be homeless, commit suicide, and to be victims of violent crime. Many countries, though no longer all, refuse to officially assign female troops to combat units (although non-combat troops frequently do end up in combat anyway); not only is every army in the world willing to put men on the front lines, men are often considered to have [[ARealManIsAKiller an obligation to defend their country in combat]] and may be pressured to join up, or even conscripted. Outside of war, men are often [[WhatMeasureIsANonBadass viewed as cowards]] if they [[NonActionGuy shrink from fistfights]], and if a man and woman are attacked by a criminal, he tends to be viewed as [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl responsible for protecting her]], regardless of whether she's actually more capable. [[DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale A man facing a problem]] like DomesticAbuse is often either [[AllAbusersAreMale actively disbelieved]] if he goes to the authorities, or told that [[HenpeckedHusband he ought to be able]] to [[MenDontCry handle it on his own]]; if he does get help, he's likely to [[IWasBeatenByAGirl feel ashamed of it]]. Due to the prevalent prejudice of [[TheUnfairSex women being in the right by default]], finding proper support is not easy. [[MortonsFork This leads to]] the FridgeLogic of an abused man being expected to take care of himself, but if he does and defends himself, then he's a total bastard for raising a hand against a female, and if he doesn't, then he's a coward and doesn't deserve sympathy.

[[folder:Evolutionary Origins?]]
At least three evolutionary biologists have suggested that the reason men have traditionally "left the gave to hunt down the food -- and potentially get eaten by the tiger" (as Dr. Danielle Rayburn put it) is that such a strategy makes sense for the species. It goes like this: 10 women x 1 man = 10 babies. Species thrives. 1 woman x 10 men = 1 baby. Species stagnates. Therefore, it was better for humanity in the long run that men be the disposable gender than women.
[[/folder]]

You can also see a somewhat similar dynamic playing out with portrayals of racial and other minorities, who, like women, are often portrayed as perfect politically correct saints and victims, and are therefore reduced to passive props in stories about more dynamic and flawed white/able-bodied/middle-class/heterosexual/etc. protagonists: compare TokenMinority, MagicalNegro, MagicalQueer, BlackBestFriend, GayBestFriend, GoingNative, InspirationallyDisadvantaged, PositiveDiscrimination, DisposableWoman and MightyWhitey. However there is a subtle distinction with the portrayal of minority characters: if they are male they still aren't afforded the same physical protections as female characters. See BlackDudeDiesFirst.

When it's time for a character to hit the big one, either by a freak accident or by [[HeroicSacrifice nobly sacrificing]] themselves, writers go about the situation as if it were a pickle jar: get a man to do it. If [[KillEmAll the entire cast has to die]], men will go first. However, this phenomenon is much more noticeable with extras; if large amounts of anonymous people have to die to demonstrate the severity of a threat, they will be men. Due to the dual influence of this trope and MenAreGenericWomenAreSpecial, it's ''especially'' common for armies of disposable {{Mooks}} or RedShirts to be comprised solely of males.

[[folder:Evolutionary Origins?]]
At least three evolutionary biologists have suggested that the reason men have traditionally "left the gave to hunt down the food -- and potentially get eaten by the tiger" (as Dr. Danielle Rayburn put it) is that such a strategy makes sense for the species. It goes like this: 10 women x 1 man = 10 babies. Species thrives. 1 woman x 10 men = 1 baby. Species stagnates. Therefore, it was better for humanity in the long run that men be the disposable gender than women.
[[/folder]]

Children of both sexes are even more sympathetic by default than adult women, and their deaths are almost invariably treated as deeply tragic. However, [[{{Kawaiiko}} girls are still considered more dependent, and therefore more sympatheti,]], than boys of the same age. Typically, a girl stands a better chance of surviving a horror movie than a boy does (if she's [[NatureAdoresAVirgin a virgin]] or the main character).

In RealLife, this trope can also be outright nasty - forcing men to take unnecessary risks and work themselves into poor health and an early grave, while misleading the women into believing the [[AllMenArePerverts men are out for their bodies]], leaving them, essentially, in [[AcceptableFeminineGoalsAndTraits "feminine" jobs]]. This all ties in with the age-old gynocentric tradition of the [[DamselInDistress helpless, childlike woman]] who has little responsibility but the raising of children and the [[TestosteronePoisoning manly man]] who works himself to an early grave so she never has to. Women who {{defied|Trope}} this were oft met with scorn from both their [[TheChick less-proactive peers]], who will judge her for faling to act upon her gender role as a woman and ridiculed by men for daring to imagine that a frail woman could hope to perform masculine tasks as well as a man. A woman may be praised for doing something masculine and no one may care if she wears male clothing. If a man dresses up like a woman and attempts to step into traditionally female roles, such as being a nurse, elementary teacher or stay-at-home parent then [[FemininityIsBad he can expect to be mocked]] for being a "girl/fag" or told that he needs to "man up".

However, the trope also has subtler UnfortunateImplications for women. Women get automatic audience sympathy for the same reason children do: they're viewed as fundamentally helpless, passive and innocent as well as ineffectual, incapable and utterly incompetent in any given situation, not as adults who can take care of themselves. Crimes against women are considered especially horrific because it's assumed that [[StayInTheKitchen female victims could not possibly have been capable of defending themselves]], considered on par with [[WouldHurtAChild hurting little kids]]. Similarly, [[HighHeelFaceTurn female villains are viewed as redeemable]] because they often aren't really taken seriously as villains in the first place – a woman can't possibly pose a real threat, or be truly accountable for her actions. And since male characters ''must'' get the chance to earn audience sympathy by proving how capable they are, while female ones already have audience sympathy by default, [[FauxActionGirl female characters are rarely given the same narrative opportunities to be heroic]]. This is one reason why male protagonists are much more common in many genres: male characters are more likely to have agency, personal conflict and capacity for growth, whereas female characters are often two-dimensionally perfect, static and passive. Thus, the female characters are reduced to plot devices that inspire male characters to action – they [[DisposableWoman get killed off]], giving men a reason to prove their manhood by avenging them; or they [[CloserToEarth provide sage advice]] about being in touch with one's emotions; or they [[StandardHeroReward prop themselves up as trophies]] to reward [[DoggedNiceGuy male characters who've proven themselves worthy]]. In RealLife, this trope can also be outright nasty - forcing men to work to an early grave, while misleading the women into believing the [[AllMenArePerverts men are out for their bodies]], leaving them, essentially, in [[AcceptableFeminineGoalsAndTraits "feminine" jobs]]. This all ties in with the age-old gynocentric tradition of the [[DamselInDistress helpless, childlike woman]] who has little responsibility but the raising of children and the [[TestosteronePoisoning manly man]] who works himself to an early grave so she never has to. Women who {{defied|Trope}} this were oft met with scorn from both their [[TheChick less-proactive peers]], who will judge her for faling to act upon her gender role as a woman and ridiculed by men for daring to imagine that a frail woman could hope to perform masculine tasks as well as a man. A woman may be praised for doing something masculine and no one may care if she wears male clothing. If a man dresses up like a woman and attempts to step into traditionally female roles, such as being a nurse, elementary teacher or stay-at-home parent then [[FemininityIsBad he may be mocked]] for being a "girl/fag" or told that he needs to "man up".

However, the trope also has subtler UnfortunateImplications for women. Women get automatic audience sympathy for the same reason children do: they're viewed as fundamentally helpless, passive and innocent as well as ineffectual, incapable and utterly incompetent in any given situation, not as adults who can take care of themselves. Crimes against women are considered especially horrific because it's assumed that [[StayInTheKitchen female victims could not possibly have been capable of defending themselves]], considered on par with [[WouldHurtAChild hurting little kids]]. Similarly, [[HighHeelFaceTurn female villains are viewed as redeemable]] because they often aren't really taken seriously as villains in the first place – a woman can't possibly pose a real threat, or be truly accountable for her actions. And since male characters ''must'' get the chance to earn audience sympathy by proving how capable they are, [[FauxActionGirl female characters are rarely given the same narrative opportunities to be heroic]]. This is one reason why male protagonists are much more common in many genres: male characters are more likely to have agency, personal conflict and capacity for growth, whereas female characters are often two-dimensionally perfect, static and passive. Thus, the female characters are reduced to plot devices that inspire male characters to action – they [[DisposableWoman get killed off]], giving men a reason to prove their manhood by avenging them; or they [[CloserToEarth provide sage advice]] about being in touch with one's emotions; or they [[StandardHeroReward prop themselves up as trophies]] to reward [[DoggedNiceGuy male characters who've proven themselves worthy]]. In RealLife, this trope can also be outright nasty - forcing men to work to an early grave, while misleading the women into believing the [[AllMenArePerverts men are out for their bodies]], leaving them, essentially, in [[AcceptableFeminineGoalsAndTraits "feminine" jobs]]. This all ties in with the age-old gynocentric tradition of the [[DamselInDistress helpless, childlike woman]] who has little responsibility but the raising of children and the [[TestosteronePoisoning manly man]] who works himself to an early grave so she never has to. Women who {{defied|Trope}} this were oft met with scorn from both their [[TheChick less-proactive peers]], who will judge her for faling to act upon her gender role as a woman and ridiculed by men for daring to imagine that a frail woman could hope to perform masculine tasks as well as a man. A woman may be praised for doing something masculine and no one may care if she wears male clothing. If a man dresses up like a woman and attempts to step into traditionally female roles, such as being a nurse, elementary teacher or stay-at-home parent then [[FemininityIsBad he may be mocked]] for being a "girl/fag" or told that he needs to "man up".

Being viewed as less sympathetic than women by default has obvious UnfortunateImplications for men: in general, it is more socially acceptable for women to seek help or support from others, and they're more likely to actually get it. More than that, though, this trope contributes to systematic social problems that disproportionately affect men. Men are more likely than women to be homeless, and to be victims of violent crime. Many countries, though no longer all, refuse to officially assign female troops to combat units (although non-combat troops frequently do end up in combat anyway); not only is every army in the world willing to put men on the front lines, men are often considered to have [[ARealManIsAKiller an obligation to defend their country in combat]] and may be pressured to join up, or even conscripted. Outside of war, men are often [[WhatMeasureIsANonBadass viewed as cowards]] if they [[NonActionGuy shrink from fistfights]], and if a man and woman are attacked by a criminal, he tends to be viewed as [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl responsible for protecting her]], regardless of whether she's actually more capable. [[DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale A man facing a problem]] like DomesticAbuse is often either [[AllAbusersAreMale actively disbelieved]] if he goes to the authorities, or told that [[HenpeckedHusband he ought to be able]] to [[MenDontCry handle it on his own]]; if he does get help, he's likely to [[IWasBeatenByAGirl feel ashamed of it]]. Due to the prevalent prejudice of [[TheUnfairSex women being in the right by default]], finding proper support is not easy. [[MortonsFork This leads to]] the FridgeLogic of an abused man being expected to take care of himself, but if he does and defends himself, then he's a total bastard for raising a hand against a female, and if he doesn't, then he's a coward and doesn't deserve sympathy.

Children of both sexes are even more sympathetic by default than adult women, and their deaths are almost invariably treated as deeply tragic. However, [[{{Kawaiiko}} girls are still considered more dependent, and therefore more sympathetic,]] than boys of the same age. Typically, a girl stands a better chance of surviving a horror movie than a boy does (if she's [[NatureAdoresAVirgin a virgin]] or the main character).

[[folder:Death as EmotionalTorque]]

When the nameless masses die off, a character will often comment that the villain killed innocent women and [[ChildrenAreInnocent children]]. Male deaths seem to be considered regrettable but not nearly as tragic, as though men are automatically considered to be [[ARealManIsAKiller combatants]] who died in battle - even if they were actually innocent bystanders who had absolutely no chance to defend themselves. Sometimes villains will defend themselves by saying that they only target men, as if actions that result in the death of men are morally neutral. (Note that being [[KickThemWhileTheyAreDown wounded, disabled or very elderly]] trumps being a man, as it takes one out of the "combatant" category.) WouldntHitAGirl, WouldntHurtAChild and WouldNotShootACivilian are closely related tropes.

Protagonists and antagonists can thus be easily determined from any scene of violence, without any context, if the actors are of different genders - women fighting men are usually the good guys, men fighting women are usually the bad guys. After all, if he was really a good guy, he [[WouldntHitAGirl wouldn't hit a girl]]. Also (occasionally) a cunning and cruel villain, especially a female one, can take advantage of this trope and mindset, threatening, hurting and even killing women and children to emotionally destroy males, thus losing their ability to fight. As a result, unless TheHero of the show is also female, female {{Big Bad}}s are often {{Non Action Big Bad}}s, since few people would be comfortable depicting a male protagonist punching a woman in the face, no matter how horrible she may be. Her lady-parts trump her actions and her moral agency. Therefore, only another woman is "allowed" to physically destroy a villainess.

[[folder:UnfortunateImplications]]

1. Is the dead female character an anonymous extra?

2. If so, was her death considered no more noteworthy than the deaths of other anonymous male extras?

3. Was the female character's death classifiable as {{gorn}}? Was it on screen?

4. Was her killer a male protagonist and did he retain audience sympathy?

However, the trope also has subtler UnfortunateImplications for women. Women get automatic audience sympathy for the same reason children do: they're viewed as fundamentally helpless, passive and innocent as well as ineffectual, incapable and utterly incompetent in any given situation, not as adults who can take care of themselves. Crimes against women are considered especially horrific because it's assumed that [[StayInTheKitchen female victims could not possibly have been capable of defending themselves]], considered on par with [[WouldHurtAChild hurting little kids]]. Similarly, [[HighHeelFaceTurn female villains are viewed as redeemable]] because they often aren't really taken seriously as villains in the first place – a woman can't possibly pose a real threat, or be truly accountable for her actions. And since male characters ''must'' get the chance to earn audience sympathy by proving how capable they are, [[FauxActionGirl female characters are rarely given the same narrative opportunities to be heroic]]. This is one reason why male protagonists are much more common in many genres: male characters are more likely to have agency, personal conflict and capacity for growth, whereas female characters are often two-dimensionally perfect, static and passive. Thus, the female characters are reduced to plot devices that inspire male characters to action – they [[DisposableWoman get killed off]], giving men a reason to prove their manhood by avenging them; or they [[CloserToEarth provide sage advice]] about being in touch with one's emotions; or they [[StandardHeroReward prop themselves up as trophies]] to reward [[DoggedNiceGuy male characters who've proven themselves worthy]]. In RealLife, this trope can also be outright nasty - forcing men to work to an early grave, while misleading the women into believing the [[AllMenArePerverts men are out for their bodies]], leaving them, essentially, in [[AcceptableFeminineGoalsAndTraits "feminine" jobs]]. This all ties in with the age-old gynocentric tradition of the [[DamselInDistress helpless, childlike woman]] who has little responsibility but the raising of children and the [[TestosteronePoisoning manly man]] who works himself to an early grave so she never has to. Women who {{defied|Trope}} this were oft met with scorn from both their [[TheChick less-proactive peers]], who may have been scared of being forced to be like her, and their male protectors [[BerserkButton "How dare you scare my woman!"]] A woman may be praised for doing something masculine and no one may care if she wears male clothing. If a man dresses up like a woman and attempts to step into traditionally female roles, such as being a nurse, elementary teacher or stay-at-home parent then [[FemininityIsBad he may be mocked]] for being a "girl/fag" or told that he needs to "man up".

Being viewed as less sympathetic than women by default has obvious UnfortunateImplications for men: in general, it is more socially acceptable for women to seek help or support from others, and they're more likely to actually get it. More than that, though, this trope contributes to systematic social problems that disproportionately affect men. Men are more likely than women to be homeless, and to be victims of violent crime. Many countries, though no longer all, refuse to officially assign female troops to combat units (although non-combat troops frequently do end up in combat anyway); not only is every army in the world willing to put men on the front lines, men are often considered to have [[ARealManIsAKiller an obligation to defend their country in combat]] and may be pressured to join up, or even conscripted. Outside of war, men are often [[WhatMeasureIsANonBadass viewed as cowards]] if they [[NonActionGuy shrink from fistfights]], and if a man and woman are attacked by a criminal, he tends to be viewed as [[AlwaysSaveTheGirl responsible for protecting her]], regardless of whether she's actually more capable. [[DoubleStandardAbuseFemaleOnMale A man facing a problem]] like DomesticAbuse is often either [[AllAbusersAreMale actively disbelieved]] if he goes to the authorities, or told that [[HenpeckedHusband he ought to be able]] to [[MenDontCry handle it on his own]]; if he does get help, he's likely to [[IWasBeatenByAGirl feel ashamed of it]]. Due to the prevalent prejudice of [[TheUnfairSex women being in the right by default]], finding proper support is not easy. [[MortonsFork This leads to]] the FridgeLogic of an abused man being expected to take care of himself, but if he does and defends himself, then he's a total bastard for raising a hand against a female, and if he doesn't, then he's a coward and doesn't deserve sympathy. And good luck drawing attention to these problems; advertising a social issue by pointing out how it affects women is more likely to draw public sympathy and inspire action.

* WomenInRefrigerators

When it's time for a character to hit the big one, either by a freak accident or by [[HeroicSacrifice nobly sacrificing]] themselves, writers go about the situation as if it were a pickle jar: get a man to do it. If [[KillEmAll the entire cast has to die]], men will go first. However, this phenomenon is much more noticeable with extras; if large amounts of anonymous people have to die to demonstrate the severity of a threat, they will be men. Due to the dual influence of this trope and MenAreGenericWomenAreSpecial, it's ''especially'' common for armies of {{Mooks}} or RedShirts to be comprised solely of males.