Toxic Masculinity

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The harmful societal expectations and norms placed on men to be dominant, aggressive, and unemotional.

Gender roles: The societal expectations placed on individuals based on their gender. Toxic masculinity (patriarchy) reinforces strict gender roles that are harmful to both men and women.
Emotional intelligence: The ability to identify and manage one's emotions and the emotions of others. Toxic masculinity (patriarchy) discourages emotional expression and often portrays emotions as a weakness.
Consent and healthy relationships: A key aspect of dismantling toxic masculinity (patriarchy) is shifting the focus from dominance and control to equal partnership and healthy communication. Understanding the importance of consent and respect in relationships is crucial.
Violence and aggression: Toxic masculinity (patriarchy) often glorifies violence and aggression, which can lead to harmful behaviors and perpetuate a cycle of violence.
Intersectionality: Recognizing that different identity markers, such as race, class, sexuality, and ability, intersect and influence the experience of toxic masculinity (patriarchy) in different ways.
Hegemonic masculinity: The dominant form of masculinity in a given society, which reinforces and legitimizes oppressive gender norms. Hegemonic masculinity is often equated with power, control, and dominance.
Masculine identity: The beliefs and attitudes that men construct around their gender identity. Toxic masculinity (patriarchy) often roots masculine identity in aggression, toughness, and emotional suppression.
Femininity and femininities: Understanding the relationship between femininity and toxic masculinity (patriarchy) is essential in dismantling oppressive gender norms because femininity is often devalued and associated with weakness.
Media and popular culture: Popular media often reinforces toxic masculinity (patriarchy) through the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes and gender norms.
Feminism: Understanding and supporting the feminist movement is crucial in the dismantling of toxic masculinity (patriarchy) because it seeks to challenge and change oppressive gender norms.
"The concept of toxic masculinity is used in academic and media discussions to refer to those aspects of hegemonic masculinity that are socially destructive, such as misogyny, homophobia, and violent domination."
"These traits are considered 'toxic' due in part to their promotion of violence, including sexual assault and domestic violence."
"Socialization of boys sometimes also 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."
"The concept of toxic masculinity has been criticized by conservative writers and authors as an undue condemnation of traditional masculinity."
"The concept of toxic masculinity has been criticized by some feminists as an essentialist concept that ignores the role of choice and context in causing harmful behaviors and attitudes related to masculinity."
"Toxic masculinity refers to those aspects of hegemonic masculinity that are socially destructive."
"These traits are considered 'toxic' due in part to their promotion of violence, including sexual assault and domestic violence."
"Socialization of boys sometimes also 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."
"The concept of toxic masculinity has been criticized by conservative writers and authors as an undue condemnation of traditional masculinity, and by some feminists as an essentialist concept that ignores the role of choice and context in causing harmful behaviors and attitudes related to masculinity."