In her book "Things I've Been Silent About," Azar Nafisi reflects on the nature of so-called "decisive" men. She observes that their perceived firmness often masks a reliance on rigid formulas that they impose on every situation. This façade of confidence crumbles when they encounter unforeseen challenges, revealing their lack of true resilience.

Nafisi contrasts these men with the seemingly fragile women they intimidate. Surprisingly, she argues that these women often possess a greater capacity to handle crises, demonstrating strength and adaptability in the face of adversity. The dynamic exposes a deeper fear within the aggressive men, hinting at the complexities of gender and power in society.