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'The Bachelorette': Is show promoting toxic masculinity? Fans grossed out by 'grown a** man' talk on 'trash TV'

Reacting to the episode, a fan wrote, 'Glad we can always count on the Bachelor producers to give us a weekly dose of toxic masculinity'

In the latest, November 17 episode of ‘The Bachelorette’, the suitors had to put their masculinity on the display to impress Tayshia Adams, who is on the lookout for a “grown a** man”. The bachelors were set up for a competition to see if they meet the criteria. While the first round involved an intellectual task, it was followed by “Bed and Breakfast” to impress Tayshia. The 36-year-old from New York, Bennett emerged as the winner with the “grown man” title, while Ed lost the competition and was labeled a “man child”. He was given a doll to carry along with him losing after the task.

While Ed was being treated differently by the rest of the suitors after earning the new label, he also gathered a lot of attention for snitching on Chasen, who is now strongly attracted to Tayshia despite his feelings for Clare Crawley. When Chasen is confronted by Tayshia, he is clearly irked. He then goes on to comment on Ed on camera about him being the man that he is, after telling him to back off. 

It didn’t just end with verbal confrontation and "cringe-worthy" task for a "grown a** man", as a part of Tayshia’s pursuit for a man, the suitors were made to fight one another in a wrestling competition, which yet again saw some of them throw their masculinity at one another in a rather violent way, which left a few injured. Ed, who was already mocked for becoming a “man child”, was subject to more humiliation when he chose to back down from the competition owing to health issues. 

While the suitors are beyond ecstatic to sweep Tayshia off her feet with their idea of a grownup man, the viewers are of the opinion that the dating reality show could have gone without this level of “toxic masculinity”. Several fans called out the “trash TV” for promoting a completely wrong image about a certain gender. 

Reacting to tonight's episode one fan wrote, "Glad we can always count on the Bachelor producers to give us a weekly dose of toxic masculinity  #TheBachelorette". Another added, "I'm pretty over these wrestling or beat the shit out of each other group dates that perpetuate toxic masculinity. Can we have a group date with a therapist where they have to confront childhood trauma and validate each other's feelings? #TheBachelorette #TheBacheloretteABC" One said, "Okay, enough of the “grown ass man” talk. The toxic masculinity is starting to make me nauseous#TheBachelorette" Adding to that another wrote, "This is the kind of toxic masculinity drama I watch trash tv for! Yasssss. #TheBachelorette"

'The Bachelorette' airs on ABC on Tuesdays at 8 pm ET.