"It has historically and is still being used to excuse bad behaviour (in boys and men) like hitting, being destructive or boisterous. And even as far as excusing rape and sexual assault," she wrote.

"Look I get it. Most people say this and and don’t mean any harm by it. But boys having their behaviour excused like this from an early age – this message of being above the rules, it sticks.

"This idea trivialises male behaviour and is the beginning of how society has one rule and set of expectations for boys and another for girls.

"In my opinion, this particular phrase perpetuates rape culture. How many women have been harassed by men and had it explained away as 'boys will be boys?'"