Sean Penn has claimed “cowardly genes” are leading people to “surrender their jeans and put on a skirt”. The actor spoke about his views on masculinity during a recent interview with The Independent, stating: “I think that men have, in my view, become quite feminised. ”Penn – who currently stars in the recently released action film Flag Day – added: “I have these very strong women in my life who do not take masculinity as a sign of oppression toward them.