I think most people agree with equality, but generally men and women view equality differently. If I treat a woman like how I treat men in my life, most welcome it but some would be offended by it. The preference of being treated more like women by some differ from how men view equality or how men should treat each other. Those offended on either side, lower the common denominator on equal relations and further separating interaction between men and women. 

The more we nit pick the further we drive the wedge. It's common sense.