Why is Toxic Masculinity?

By Kavya Maheshwari

Toxic masculinity is a term that is used to describe the negative aspects of exaggerated masculinity. The term has evolved over time and has been used both in academia and everyday dialogues.

In modern society, people often use the term toxic masculinity to describe exaggerated masculine traits that many cultures have widely accepted or glorified.

This harmful concept of masculinity revolves around various factors of ‘manliness’ based on:

• strength

• lack of emotion

• self-sufficiency

• dominance

• sexual virility

According to traditional toxic masculine values, a male who does not display enough of these traits is not considered a ‘real man.’

These requirements may result in imbalance in the men trying to reach these expectations.

Some examples include:

• aggression

• sexual aggression or control

• showing no emotion or suppressing emotions

• hyper-competitiveness

• needing to dominate or control others

• a tendency towards or glorification of violence

• isolation

• low empathy

• entitlement

• chauvinism and sexism

One example of this includes telling another person, mostly men, who is showing emotion to “man up;” in other words, to hide or suppress that emotion. This example illustrates how emotion or vulnerability is viewed as ‘unmanly.’

Another common example is the saying, “boys will be boys.” This expression advocates for careless, aggressive, or otherwise damaging behaviour in young males, boys and rather than teaching them about responsibility and owning up to their mistakes, they are simply ignored.

Expressions of this type highlight how cultures and societies have traditionally viewed males.

However, these views can cause harm and embellish the idea of masculinity, leading to an even more toxic attitude toward these behaviours and thus in males.

These traits are taught at a very young age in many cases, such as boys are encouraged to participate in sports rather than in academics, and sometimes treated aggressively to teach them increased tolerance to pain. They are also taught to not showcase emotions at very young ages, “Boys don’t cry”.

All this simply leads to extreme emotional pain and imbalance with passing time.

By Kavya Maheshwari

Kavya Maheshwari is an advocate for neurodiversity with Project Inclusion'20.

https://www.instagram.com/project_inclusion/

This is her first blog, make sure to like and share!