Is Toxic Masculinity a Real Thing? - Unveiling Evolution, Signs and Factors

Toxic masculinity gets thrown around as a buzzword sometimes, but at its root, it’s a multifaceted term to describe harmful masculinity. While toxic masculinity is ingrained in some areas of our culture, identifying it, calling it out, and taking steps to treat it can make for a safer, healthier society.

Image source: Feminism in India

Toxic masculinity is an attitude or set of social guidelines stereotypically associated with manliness that often hurt men, women, and society in general.

The term toxic masculinity isn’t meant to imply that the idea of masculinity in itself is inherently bad. Instead, it’s meant to point out that certain behaviours and ways of thinking are often associated with masculinity.

Signs Of Toxic Masculinity

Toxic masculinity is nuanced, but there are a few behaviours that are often caused by toxic masculinity. Some toxic masculinity examples include -

Homophobia

Toxic masculinity teaches men that homosexuality is a deviation from traditional masculinity and that gay men are less masculine. For example, consider the way terms like gay and faggot were and still are used as insults.

Need For Control

Toxic masculinity encourages men to assert their power and dominance. We see this often in domestic relationships. The 2017 report "The Man Box" found that 34% of men in the U.S. believed they should always have the final say in their relationship, and 46% believed that men deserved to know where their girlfriend or wife is at all times.

Refusing To Help With Household Duties

Toxic masculinity rejects roles traditionally considered women’s work. Toxically masculine men often refuse to participate in these household duties. The Man Box found that 22% of U.S. men believed they shouldn’t have to do household chores, 44% believed they should be the sole income earners, and 28% believed that boys shouldn’t be taught things like cooking, cleaning, and child care.

Sexual Aggression Towards Women

Men who have been influenced by toxic masculinity are more likely to believe they're entitled to women’s bodies, leading to sexual comments and harassment toward women and a higher likelihood of believing rape myths.

Stoicism

A cornerstone idea of toxic masculinity is that showing emotion is weak and feminine. Men are expected to be mentally and physically tough without breaking. Statistics and studies show that men are less likely to pursue mental health services like therapy despite being 1.8 times more likely than women to commit suicide.

Violence

Toxic masculinity encourages men to use aggression and violence to assert their dominance and masculinity. "The Man Box" report found that 23% of U.S. men believed that, if needed, men should use violence to get respect.

Risk Factors Of Toxic Masculinity

Almost anyone can access the internet, and as a result, almost anyone can be exposed to toxic masculinity. But not everyone exposed to toxic masculinity will become toxic or violent. There are a few known risk factors that can contribute to male violence and toxic masculinity -

• Dysfunctional family environment
  
  
• Exposure to social norms that encourage violence and male dominance
  
  
• Exposure to violence at home, in relationships, and in the community
  
  
• Lack of access to mental health services
  
  
• Lack of behavioural control
  
  
• Social rejection by peers
  
  

How To Stop Toxic Masculinity

It’s important to be aware that not all toxic behaviours in men are caused by toxic masculinity. It’s also important that we don’t assign blame to toxic masculinity and avoid personal responsibility.

There are a few prevention strategies that can help young men avoid being poisoned by toxic masculinity. These include -

• Creating marketing campaigns to change social and cultural norms around masculinity.
  
  
• Educating parents on the damage that physical punishment and humiliation techniques do to kids.
  
  
• Educating parents on the importance of creating safe and nurturing environments.
  
  
• Educating parents on the importance of teaching kids to regulate their emotions.
  
  
• Identifying and treating psychological distress.
  
  
• Offering programs that positively integrate boys and men into society.
  
  
• Promoting healthy relationships that are free of abuse and violence.

Final Thoughts

The definition of toxic masculinity centres on these exaggerated versions of traditional, now archaic masculine traits. These ideas around what a man should force some people to accept a very narrow view of what it means to be masculine, which can be harmful to those who cannot adhere to these supposed standards.

Some men might ‘act out’ some of these behaviours as they strive to be more ‘masculine.’ This can lead to questionable and dangerous behaviours. Respecting other’s space and allowing them to openly discuss their feelings about the issue may help people reshape their own definitions as well.

Written by – Dhruvi Solanki.

Note - This article has been authored exclusively by the writer and is being presented on Eat My News, which serves as a platform for the community to voice their perspectives. As an entity, Eat My News cannot be held liable for the content or its accuracy. The views expressed in this article solely pertain to the author or writer. For further queries about the article or its content you can contact this email address - dhruvisolanki198@gmail.com