girljournals:

We need to start analyzing individual men as active perpetrators of patriarchy rather than just innocent “victims” of it. The idea that the patriarchy is a structure that only exists in an abstract way and sometimes possesses “innocent, kindhearted men” to do bad things rather than an inherent & unavoidable part of their position & social programming will not make men unlearn themselves. On the contrary, it will only make them find excuses for their behavior that maintain their innocence. 

Assuring men that, when generalizations are made, they are aimed at “the structural masculinity” rather than each and every individual man who inevitably has learned these behaviors only makes men think that their supposed “awareness”, and their tolerance of generalizations absolves them of being the intended target of said generalizations. This, be it consciously or subconsciously, makes them think that their position (though it is the same) is not as harmful as that of other men, and thus that there is not as much harm in their supposedly ”accidental” and “innocent” sexist actions and their consequences. Absolving individual men of collective responsibility enables them to continue with harmful behaviors.