Why Nice Guys Finish Last By Julia Serano

In her essay, "Why Nice Guys Finish Last," Julia Serano argues that the commonly held belief that nice guys are disadvantaged in the dating scene is a myth. Instead, she suggests that the problem lies with entitled men who view women as objects rather than individuals. Serano's purpose is to challenge the stereotype of the "nice guy" and to encourage men to examine their beliefs and behaviors towards women. This essay will evaluate whether Serano achieved her purpose in her persuasive writing.

One of the main strengths of Serano's argument is her use of personal anecdotes and examples to illustrate the ways in which the "nice guy" myth is harmful to women. Serano starts her essay by talking about the stereotype of the "nice guy," which is the

Serano contends that this belief system perpetuates the idea that men are entitled to women's bodies and attention, which is harmful to both men and women. Serano suggests that men need to consider their attitudes and actions toward women in the second half of her essay. She contends that men should acknowledge that women are unique beings with their own desires and agency. Instead of expecting sex or a relationship as payment for their positive deeds, Serano argues that men should focus on developing sincere connections with women. She also advises men to improve their communication skills and be receptive to female criticism. By employing refutations of common criticisms of her position and using counter arguments, Serano also strengthens her case. For instance, she acknowledges that some men may genuinely believe that being "nice" entitles them to women's affection, but she argues that this belief is still based on patriarchal attitudes and reinforces harmful gender norms. In addition, she refutes the claim that women are drawn to 'bad boys' by pointing out that this attraction is frequently based on cultural narratives about masculinity and danger rather

In "Why Nice Guys Finish Last," Serano, in my opinion, successfully accomplished her goal. She makes a strong case for the significance of combating toxic masculine norms and promoting healthy relationships based on mutual respect and agency by dispelling the "nice guy" myth and highlighting the patriarchal attitudes that underlie it. The myth of the "nice guy" is expertly dismantled by him, and the entitlement and sexism that support it are revealed. Her arguments are convincing because they are backed up by research and anecdotes from her own life. In order to give her essay a solid ethical foundation, Serano also bases her argument on feminist theory. She contends that both men and women are harmed by the belief system that upholds the myth of the "nice guy," and that men have a duty to work toward dismantling it. Though it might be challenging for some men to accept Serano's argument, this is one possible weakness of her essay. The idea that their behavior toward women is problematic may be resisted by men who identify as "nice guys," and they may feel attacked or defensive. Providing a direct acknowledgment of this resistance and recommendations for how to overcome it would be beneficial for Serano's