So, a video went viral on social media a few weeks ago; the discussion was surrounding the man’s role and the woman’s role in a relationship. Now before I get into this discussion, I just want to say it is no secret that we are living in a time when everybody and they mama have a podcast and are headed to be the next Oprah. And yes, while a lot of podcasts are inspirational, enlightening, and profound, others have become…indigestible (and that’s me keeping classy).

Anyways, the men on this particular podcast—I won’t single any one out because, again, I am keeping it cute—expressed that within a relationship, the man is the prize because the woman is not needed, she is just wanted. I literally had to stop, rewind, and press play repeatedly because the disrespect was audacity in its highest form. They proceeded to say that women need men to protect and provide. All I could think of were the countless times when, in a relationship, I lost sleep to help my counterpart study. Or how I risked my on-campus job in college so my counterpart could finish his education. Do not even get me started on the men I have taken care of when they were ill (because their mamas were not going to do it).

The ultimate nerve of these young men was real but not shocking. This generation has made quite a name for itself with these toxic narratives.

Now ladies, before we all get our panties in a bunch and start losing our religion over their statements (which would be rightfully deserved), I am going to do my best to explain the basis of their argument. (Then afterwards, we can proceed to knucking and bucking.) So when this “women are not needed” and “men are the prize” statement was made on this podcast, the hosts later explained that women are ‘not needed to clean or cook because you can hire a chef and maid.’ The podcasters also expressed that a woman is ‘not needed to stay home and tend to children because you can hire a babysitter or a nanny.’ As if all a woman does is clean, cook, and tend to children. (It’s giving red flag and run the other way, Sis!)

I believe women have and always will climb over obstacles, move mountains, and rise to the occasion, no matter how difficult the task is before us. The sacrifices a woman makes time and time again cannot even begin to be quantified. Putting our literal lives on the line to reproduce, nurture, love, support, uplift, and empower those around us is not only remarkable but should be appreciated.

Anybody who cannot see the need for a beautiful, strong woman in their lives is truly missing out, and sadly their blindness will stunt their growth. Life is tough and it’s even more unbearable without the touch of a good woman. I want to be clear that our worth as women is not determined based on someone’s inability to recognize it.  I do not care how many podcast men go viral, if you cannot understand how necessary a good woman’s contributions are, you are just going to have to hold this L and miss out.

These podcasters are a different breed y’all, and I can’t with some of the ridiculous ideologies they are forcing down our timelines. (I am a true, honest believer that everyone does not need a podcast or a microphone.) It seems to me that to say, ‘a woman is not needed but only wanted’ is maybe them projecting—being uncomfortable with the fact that either they were failed by their own mothers or hurt by a woman in their past. Maybe they are just straight up ungrateful and entitled. (By the way, those aren’t excuses—only potential explanations, and this is why therapy should be free for everyone.)

The sacrifices we are constantly making, day in and day out, should be commended, and I would like to encourage any and everybody who is reading this to never take a good woman for granted—including yourself.

How has a good woman impacted your life? Shout her out in the comments.