Toxic Masculinity

People come in different personalities, characteristics, and archetypes that are highly dependent on the contexts, cultures, themes, and tones the person has experienced throughout their life. Toxic masculinity is a group of traits or personalities that underlie a specific concept that people have conducted observations about.

What Is Toxic Masculinity?

Toxic masculinity is a set of inherent character traits and norms that people usually associate or connect with a stereotypical male. Toxic masculinity typically manifests as violent, rash, and aggressive behavior and a trend of emotional suppression. More often than not, toxic masculinity is not inherently bad or evil, but it will lead the person to find themselves in bad, violent, and risky situations.

Examples of Toxic Masculinity in Media

1. Hyper-aggressive sports coaches berating their players to be “tougher”.
2. News debates glorifying physical confrontation as a means to resolve conflicts.
3. Advertisement campaigns that mock men for engaging in traditionally feminine activities.
4. TV shows that ridicule men for expressing emotions or vulnerability.
5. Music videos that portray women as objects to assert male dominance.
6. Reality shows that reward aggressive and domineering behavior in men.
7. Podcasts that promote harmful stereotypes about manhood, such as the inability to be nurturing.
8. Magazines that idolize and perpetuate unrealistic body standards for men.
9. Political commentary that equates masculinity with authoritarianism.
10. Video games that reward violent behavior and penalize diplomacy or compromise.

Examples of Toxic Masculinity in Relationships

1. A partner who insists on controlling all financial decisions, reinforcing the stereotype of male dominance.
2. Criticizing a partner for not adhering to traditional gender roles, such as cooking and cleaning.
3. Emotional manipulation, such as telling a partner they are overreacting when they express feelings.
4. Insisting on resolving conflicts through intimidation rather than communication.
5. Dismissing a partner’s achievements in professional or personal spheres.
6. Mocking a partner for their appearance or choices in a way that asserts dominance.
7. Cheating or engaging in affairs and justifying it as a “natural male instinct”.
8. Using physical presence to intimidate or control a partner’s actions.
9. Refusal to engage in household chores or caregiving, viewing these tasks as beneath them.
10. Encouraging aggressive behavior in children as a sign of masculinity.

Examples of Toxic Masculinity in Movies

1. A male protagonist who solves problems through violence rather than diplomacy.
2. Villains characterized primarily by their disdain for weakness and compassion.
3. Scenes where the male hero belittles or ignores the ideas of female characters.
4. Plotlines where the male lead’s aggressive behavior is romanticized or justified.
5. Characters mocking other men for not being sexually experienced or aggressive.
6. Films that use women’s trauma as a backstory to develop a male character’s toughness.
7. Antagonists who use emotional abuse as a tactic to prove their masculinity.
8. Movies that equate the hero’s physical strength with moral rightness.
9. Male characters who face no consequences for displaying toxic behavior.
10. Story arcs where characters that show vulnerability are portrayed as weaker or less worthy.

Examples of Toxic Masculinity in Social Media

1. Influencers who promote fitness regimes that emphasize bulk over health.
2. Posts that glorify “manly” activities like drinking excessively as benchmarks of masculinity.
3. Memes that make fun of men for not adhering to stereotypical male behaviors.
4. Comments under posts that challenge or mock men for showing emotion or seeking help.
5. Social media challenges that encourage risky behaviors to prove toughness.
6. Online forums that spread misogynistic ideologies under the guise of men’s rights.
7. Cyberbullying tactics that involve shaming men for their physical appearance.
8. Tweets that equate professional success with manliness.
9. Social media profiles that celebrate aggressive and domineering male figures.
10. Viral videos that depict harassment as humorous or acceptable male behavior.

Examples of Toxic Masculinity at Work

1. Managers who use aggression or belittlement as a management strategy.
2. Colleagues who joke about or demean the roles of women in the workplace.
3. Policies that discourage men from taking paternity leave or flexible hours for family care.
4. Promotion of individuals who display cutthroat competition over collaborative skills.
5. Mocking male colleagues who participate in team-building activities or emotional wellness programs.
6. Encouraging a work environment where long hours are seen as a sign of male dedication.
7. Harassment of male employees who file complaints or show sensitivity.
8. Superiors who equate leadership with authoritarian behavior.
9. Expectations that male employees prioritize work over personal or family life.
10. Meetings where male dominance in conversations is encouraged or goes unchecked.

Origins of Toxic Masculinity

Toxic masculinity is rooted in historical and societal norms that dictate the roles and behaviors appropriate for men. These norms have been influenced by various factors including economic changes, political movements, and shifts in family dynamics. Understanding the origins of these attitudes is crucial to addressing their persistence in modern society.

How to Identify Toxic Masculinity

People who exude traits of toxic masculinity tend to have various signs and signals that people can easily identify and interpret. It is important to know if one has traits that align with toxic masculinity as it can lead to physical and emotional impairments. These traits can also lead to the person being socially isolated or being the target of cancel culture. 

Step 1: Learn or Research Traits or Characteristics Associated with Toxic Masculinity

Begin by researching various traits and characteristics that will outline or serve as an outline format of a person exhibiting toxic masculinity. This will help you understand the basic overview of a person with traits of toxic masculinity,

Step 2: Identify if the Person Discriminates against Other People That Are Different

Toxic masculinity has underlying traits that will result in them often vocally and physically discriminating against people different from themselves or subculture . These characteristics will also manifest extreme discriminatory behavior against women in general.

Step 3: Check for Violent and Aggressive Behaviors

One of the most observable behaviors one can observe from people exhibiting traits of toxic masculinity is their violent and aggressive behaviors. Check for violent and aggressive behaviors that overly manifest when they enter conflict or fighting.

Step 4: Check or Identify Overly Sexual or Promiscuous Behaviors

A person exhibiting toxic masculinity will often have overly sexual or promiscuous behaviors manifest. These promiscuous behaviors accompanied by violent sexual acts or tendencies are a big giveaway of toxic masculinity.

Toxic Masculinity Signs

• Emotional suppression: Avoiding expressing vulnerability or emotions, viewing it as a sign of weakness.
• Aggression: Displaying excessive aggression as a means of solving problems or asserting dominance.
• Sexism: Holding and expressing beliefs that men are inherently superior to women and other genders.
• Homophobia: Demonstrating fear or contempt for homosexual or non-binary individuals as a way to reinforce traditional heterosexual masculinity.
• Competitiveness: Engaging in harmful or excessive competitiveness, especially in inappropriate settings.
• Stoicism: Maintaining a facade of toughness, often avoiding seeking help or admitting pain or hardship.
• Control: Exerting control over others, especially in personal relationships, often to maintain a sense of superiority or power.
• Entitlement: Feeling and acting as if certain privileges are inherently theirs due to being a man.
• Mockery of the non-conforming: Ridiculing men and others who do not conform to traditional masculine roles or behaviors.

How to Stop Toxic Masculinity

• Promote Emotional Expression: Encourage men and boys to express their emotions openly and teach them that it’s healthy to discuss and manage their feelings rather than suppress them.
• Challenge Stereotypes: Question and challenge traditional gender roles and stereotypes that associate masculinity with aggression, dominance, and emotional suppression. This includes speaking out against harmful jokes or comments that perpetuate these ideas.
• Educate on Consent and Respect: Educate men and boys about the importance of consent and respecting boundaries in all aspects of life, including personal, professional, and romantic relationships.
• Positive Role Models: Highlight and promote positive role models who demonstrate respectful, inclusive, and emotionally aware behavior. This helps redefine norms about what it means to be “masculine.”
• Supportive Environments: Create supportive environments in schools, workplaces, and communities where discussions about gender norms can take place safely and constructively.
• Inclusive Curriculum: Implement educational curriculums that include discussions about gender equality, healthy relationships, and the impact of toxic masculinity.
• Media Literacy: Encourage critical thinking about how masculinity is portrayed in media and entertainment, and support media that portrays diverse and positive images of masculinity.
• Counseling and Support Groups: Provide access to counseling and support groups where men can explore their identities and discuss their experiences with masculinity in a supportive setting.

Effects of Toxic Masculinity

• Emotional Suppression: Encourages men to suppress emotions, which can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and reduced emotional well-being.
• Aggression and Violence: Promotes aggressive behavior as a form of masculinity, potentially leading to increased domestic and social violence.
• Impact on Relationships: Can damage relationships through poor communication, lack of emotional intimacy, and perpetuating power imbalances.
• Health Risks: Discourages seeking help for health issues, contributing to worse health outcomes and shorter life expectancy.
• Workplace Issues: Can create hostile work environments through harassment, discrimination, and resistance to gender equality.
• Perpetuation of Gender Stereotypes: Reinforces harmful gender roles and stereotypes, impacting both men and women negatively.
• Social Isolation: Men may isolate themselves to conform to masculine norms, avoiding perceived “weak” behaviors like asking for help or expressing vulnerability.

Impact of Toxic Masculinity on Mental Health

• Suppression of Emotions: Toxic masculinity promotes the idea that men should not express vulnerability or emotional pain, leading to suppressed emotions. This can increase the risk of depression, anxiety, and emotional distress.
• Increased Stress: Adhering to rigid, traditional notions of masculinity often means handling all problems alone, which can cause significant stress and strain mental health.
• Relationship Strain: Toxic masculinity can damage relationships by discouraging open communication and emotional intimacy. This can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
• Risky Behaviors: There is a correlation between toxic masculinity and engaging in risky behaviors, like substance abuse or reckless driving, which are often used as outlets for stress or emotional pain.
• Resistance to Seeking Help: The stigma associated with mental health issues is often magnified by toxic masculinity, which portrays seeking help as a sign of weakness. This can prevent men from accessing mental health services.
• Aggression and Anger Issues: Toxic masculinity often equates masculinity with aggression, leading to anger management issues which can impact personal and professional relationships.
• Impact on Self-Worth and Identity: Constant pressure to conform to unrealistic standards of masculinity can lead to low self-esteem and a distorted sense of self, affecting overall mental well-being.

Impact on Individual Well-being

The effects of toxic masculinity on individual well-being are profound. Men who conform to these norms may experience increased stress, reduced emotional availability, and higher risk of mental health issues like depression and anxiety. This section examines the personal costs of adhering to these harmful norms.

The Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Toxic Masculinity

Race and ethnicity significantly influence how toxic masculinity manifests. Different cultural backgrounds have distinct norms and expectations for male behavior, which can modify or reinforce the characteristics associated with toxic masculinity.

• African American Communities: In some cases, African American men might feel pressure to adopt hyper-masculine behaviors to cope with social and economic inequalities or stereotypes that depict them as inherently criminal or aggressive.
• Hispanic and Latino Communities: Machismo is a concept similar to toxic masculinity, prevalent in many Hispanic cultures. It often emphasizes hyper-masculinity and control, particularly over female family members, while discouraging emotional openness.
• Asian American Communities: Asian American men might contend with stereotypes that portray them as less masculine or assertive. In response, some may over-emphasize traits associated with Western masculinity to counteract these stereotypes.

The Role of Gender in Toxic Masculinity

Gender plays a crucial role in the perpetuation and impact of toxic masculinity. While it primarily affects men and boys by setting harmful standards, women and non-binary individuals are also impacted through their interactions with men who adhere to these norms.

• Men: Men are often direct victims of toxic masculinity, pressured into conforming to unhealthy norms that stifle emotional expression and prioritize aggression.
• Women: Women frequently bear the brunt of toxic masculine behaviors, which can manifest in relationships as control, aggression, and disrespect.
• Non-binary People: Non-binary individuals may face unique challenges with toxic masculinity, as their very existence challenges the traditional gender norms that underpin it.

Common Unhealthy Habits Glorified in Toxic Masculinity

• Excessive drinking and substance abuse: Often portrayed as a way to prove one’s toughness or to bond with other men, excessive alcohol consumption and drug use are commonly glorified in certain portrayals of masculinity.
• Reckless behavior: Engaging in dangerous activities without considering the consequences is sometimes seen as a display of bravery or a way to prove one’s masculinity.
• Avoidance of medical care: A reluctance to seek medical help for health issues, often driven by the notion that a “real man” should not need help or show weakness.
• Poor emotional health management: The stigma around discussing mental health issues or seeking therapy contributes to neglect in this area, often exacerbated by the macho belief in handling problems alone.
• Unhealthy competition: The pressure to outperform others can lead to a toxic environment where the only valued measure of success is winning, often at any cost.
• Overworking: Glorifying long working hours without adequate rest as a sign of strength and dedication to one’s career or responsibilities.

Risk Factors of Toxic Masculinity

• Socialization and upbringing: Boys often receive messages from a young age about how to act “manly,” which can discourage expressing vulnerability or emotion.
• Media portrayal: Films, television, and other forms of media frequently depict men as dominant and emotionally disconnected, which can perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
• Peer pressure: Men and boys may feel pressure from friends or peers to conform to traditional masculine behaviors, which can reinforce aggressive or non-emotive behaviors.
• Lack of positive role models: Absence of male figures who demonstrate healthy emotional expression and vulnerability can limit the examples from which boys and young men can learn.
• Rigid gender norms: Societal expectations that define what it means to be “a real man” can create stress and discourage behaviors not aligned with these norms.
• Educational environment: Schools and sports activities that emphasize competitiveness and toughness over cooperation and emotional well-being can foster toxic masculine norms.
• Economic pressures: Economic instability or the stress of needing to be the primary provider can exacerbate traditional views of masculinity linked to dominance and control.
• Historical and cultural background: Specific cultural or historical contexts that value and reinforce aggressive male behavior and hierarchical gender roles contribute to the prevalence of toxic masculinity.

Toxic Masculinity vs. Masculinity

Aspect	Toxic Masculinity	Masculinity
Definition	A cultural concept of manliness that glorifies stoicism, dominance, and aggression as essential to male identity.	A set of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with boys and men.
Traits	Aggression, emotional suppression, entitlement, and an emphasis on physical strength.	Can include strength, assertiveness, and compassion, without harmful stereotypes.
Social Impact	Promotes an unhealthy standard that can lead to violence, mental health issues, and strained relationships.	Encourages a positive and balanced model of male behavior that is respectful and inclusive.
Perception of Emotion	Emotions other than anger or aggression are often viewed as weaknesses.	Emotions are accepted as a normal part of human experience, allowing for emotional expression and connection.
Attitude Towards Others	Often involves demeaning attitudes towards women and an insistence on male dominance in various spheres.	Supports equality and respects boundaries, embracing cooperative and respectful interactions with all genders.

How to Treat Toxic Masculinity

• Promote Emotional Literacy: Encourage the expression of emotions in a healthy way, emphasizing that vulnerability is not a weakness but a human attribute.
• Challenge Gender Stereotypes: Confront and question rigid gender roles imposed by society, promoting flexibility in what it means to be masculine.
• Educate on Gender Equality: Offer education and awareness programs that discuss gender equality, respect, and the harmful effects of toxic masculinity.
• Encourage Positive Role Models: Highlight and support male role models who demonstrate respectful, inclusive behaviors and emotional maturity.
• Support Groups and Therapy: Provide access to support groups and psychological counseling to help individuals unpack and address behaviors linked to toxic masculinity.
• Cultivate Empathy and Respect: Teach empathy, respect for others, and the importance of consent and equality in all relationships.
• Engage in Open Conversations: Foster safe spaces where men and boys can discuss masculinity, share experiences, and support each other in growth and understanding.