The irrational part is not being aware of the sociological dynamics - it's FREAKING OUT when they are brought to one's attention.

"You're killing yourselves"

"Fuck you, you stupid bitch, we are fine...."

It's crazy!

And it's not a millenium old system. It's only 5k years old. For 97% of human history, this isn't how people interacted. I get that you've been messaged your whole life in subtle and overt ways that this is how to succeed, that men are better than women, that it's weak to admit anything less... but again, not very evolutionary..

And, I'll say it again - the issue isn't that men aren't immediately embracing this news or that they don't already know it - it's that they are becoming what I can only characterize as hysterical when confronted with any data around this. No curiosity about investigating it further for themselves, no self-reflection AT ALL - just desperately clinging to patriarchy no matter what, and no matter what it costs men, despite the benefits.

As I believe I've already quoted to you, bell hooks had it figured out:

Passive male absorption of sexist ideology enables men to falsely interpret this disturbed behavior positively. As long as men are brainwashed to equate violent domination and abuse of women with privilege, they will have no understanding of the damage done to themselves or to others, and no motivation to change.

Hooks, Bell. The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love (p. 27). Atria Books. Kindle Edition.