Toxic masculinity
Toxic masculinity is a set of certain male behaviors associated with harm to society and men themselves. Traditional stereotypes of men as socially dominant, along with related traits such as
misogyny and
homophobia,
[1] can be considered "toxic" due in part to their promotion of violence, including
sexual assault and
domestic violence. The violent socialization of boys often normalizes violence, such as in the saying "boys will be boys" about
bullying and aggression.
Self-reliance and
emotional repression are correlated with increased psychological problems in men such as depression, increased
stress, and
substance use disorders. Toxic masculine traits are characteristic of the unspoken code of behavior among men in prisons, where they exist in part as a response to the harsh conditions of prison life.
Other traditionally masculine traits such as devotion to work, pride in excelling at sports, and providing for one's family, are not considered to be "toxic". The concept was originally used by authors associated with the
mythopoetic men's movement, such as Shepherd Bliss. These authors contrasted stereotypical notions of masculinity with a "real" or "deep" masculinity, which they said men had lost touch with in modern society. Critics of the term
toxic masculinity argue that it incorrectly implies that gender-related issues are caused by inherent male traits.
[2]
In the
social sciences,
toxic masculinity refers to traditional cultural
masculine norms that can be harmful to men, women, and society overall. This concept of toxic masculinity does not condemn men or male attributes, but rather emphasizes the harmful effects of
conformity to certain traditional masculine ideal behaviors such as dominance, self-reliance, and competition.
[9][10] Toxic masculinity is thus defined by adherence to traditional male
gender roles that consequently stigmatize and limit the
emotions boys and men may comfortably express while elevating other emotions such as
anger.
[11] It is marked by economic, political, and social expectations that men seek and achieve dominance.
In a
gender studies context,
Raewyn Connell refers to toxic practices that may arise out of what she terms
hegemonic masculinity, rather than essential traits.
[3] Connell argues that such practices, such as physical violence, may serve to reinforce men's dominance over women in Western societies. She stresses that such practices are a salient feature of hegemonic masculinity, although not always the defining features.
[3][12]
Terry Kupers describes toxic masculinity as involving "the need to aggressively compete and dominate others",
[1] and as "the constellation of socially regressive male traits that serve to foster domination, the devaluation of women, homophobia and wanton violence".
[1][13] According to Kupers, toxic masculinity includes aspects of "hegemonic masculinity" that are socially destructive, "such as misogyny, homophobia, greed, and violent domination". He contrasts these traits with more positive traits such as "pride in [one's] ability to win at sports, to maintain solidarity with a friend, to succeed at work, or to provide for [one's] family".
[1] Feminist author
John Stoltenberg has argued that all traditional notions of masculinity are toxic and reinforce the oppression of women.
[14][15]
en.wikipedia.org
Man throwing punch identified as founder of white supremacist organization
www.cbsnews.com
. You know nothing about me. And I am free to express myself here now that it's being moderated much more fairly. And you know exactly what I mean,
