MAFS Mike is not a victim speaking on behalf of all men

No one likes it when women play the victim and it’s even less appealing coming from a man like Married at First Sight’s Mike. The TV groom is unstable and emotionally abusive and is finally being called out on it, writes Susie O’Brien.

Mike Gunner from Married At First Sight isn’t an empowered man, he’s an egotistical narcissist.

But this hasn’t stopped the 44-year-old from claiming victim status as a maligned modern man.

No one likes it when women play the victim, and it’s even less appealing coming from a man like this.

This week’s excruciating MAFS episode, which saw Mike and his “wife” Heidi exchange vows, has led to the tattoo-haired electrician being called a gaslighter and toxic creep.

Mike says he loves Heidi, but not as much as he loves himself.

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Mike Gunner and Heidi Latcham on Married At First Sight.

In recent days Mike has struck back, insisting the backlash against him is evidence of “a shift in consciousness of the public toward men which favours women”.

“Are men now so emasculated that we can’t speak our minds? That we can’t be real? That we have to somehow fulfil the expectations of those around us?” he said.

“I simply refuse to do that and I am speaking on behalf of all men in this country.”

As I see it, the problem isn’t Mike’s right to speak his mind — it’s the dribble coming out of his mouth every time he opens it.

He’s not a pin-up boy for the men’s rights movement; he’s unstable and emotionally abusive and is finally being called out on it.

There’s not “a shift in consciousness of the public toward men which favours women”.

There’s a shift in consciousness of the low morals and poor behaviour of certain men, which in the past may have passed under the radar.

Mike isn’t suffering on behalf of all men; he’s copping it because of his own behaviour and attitudes.

The couple fought on their honeymoon. Picture: Channel 9

Mike has spent weeks being condescending, self-absorbed and insensitive, and now to turn around and play the victim is gobsmacking.

This is not about berating a man for standing up for himself; it’s about holding a man to account for being nasty and manipulative.

Mike also complained that “endearments only a couple of years ago that now are suddenly seen as something offensive”.

He’s wrong. Calling someone darling and sweetheart is only a problem if you don’t mean it or if you’re being sleazy.

Most women don’t mind the terms when they’re used with affection rather than aggression.

Mike is not speaking “on behalf of all men in this country”. He’s doing what he always does and is only thinking of himself.

Rumours are swirling that the pair are no longer together. Let’s hope so for her sake. Mike has been matched with the daughter of the world’s hottest grandma — a woman half his age who regularly flaunts her fake boobs and hair extensions on social media.

Should be a perfect match.

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