Toxic Masculinity – Are men under attack?
In society’s efforts to put labels on everything, Toxic Masculinity has to be among the most disturbing labels to emerge in recent times. It is the most ill-defined and soon to be propagandised concept throughout the United States and Canada.
The scariest part is that the trial by media is ripping apart the fabric of our justice system. The principles of natural justice, fairness and the concept of “innocent until proven guilty” is being destroyed by the media in favour of ratings.
This comes at a high cost to individuals whose trials are being carried out on a social media platform or in the news without evidence AND without care for the principles, our countries have been built upon.
When talking about the made-up concept of toxic masculinity, first, and most importantly, let’s call it what it is… some guy being an asshole. However, the notion that being a man is somehow wrong poses genuine and present danger to the mental health of our society.
Boys can no longer be boys however girls can be girls. This kind of disparity sends the wrong message.
Listen, if there is some form of a crisis taking place, and I mean a legitimate crisis, not one that is manufactured by a radicalized group of people who are unhappy with the world, then let’s address it.
Attacking a young boy who is expressing what is defined as masculine traits which commonly manifest at an early age, is simply wrong. What we are saying here is that we no longer have the knowledge skills and abilities to communicate and teach our children when they are displaying undesirable behaviour. Specifically, little boys. This is a disastrous approach to educating our youth.
The notion that being self-reliant, among other traits, is somehow problematic doesn’t just tug at the seams of society, it downright cuts the fabric.
Traits such as misplaced or uncontrolled aggression, arrogance and a rigid understanding of what defines manhood can translate into a misplaced belief that a man must be dominant, aggressive and devoid of emotion.
I think we can all agree, this doesn’t represent what, in my opinion, masculinity stands for. Is it ok to want to dominate? It sure is, given the correct circumstances and put in the proper context.
Is it ok to be aggressive? You bet! There are situations that demand it. In fact, it is important for your mental health to stay in touch with your primal side.
What about being devoid of emotion? You must be able to control them and realize when and where they are to be appropriately displayed.
Everything requires context. It’s time to stop attempting to label every trait and roll them up as something negative.
In our modern day society, people have worked hard to achieve their personal rights. However, alongside rights comes responsibilities. A responsibility to fairness, compassion, kindness… to our fellow man.
The answer to the problem is continuing to demand equality for everyone, promoting compassion and kindness and holding each other accountable. Anything less and it amounts to stealing the desired outcome at a cost that will break down trust and even our society on a larger scale.
Enough with allowing the media to determine an outcome and potentially ruin a life before justice has even begun to take place.
Amen, brother.
I completely so agree with your stance. Why does wanting to dominate have to be a “masculine” trait? Or being “aggressive”? I do realize that in attempting to adjust a gender imbalance that has existed since the beginning of time, the pendulum might at times push too far one way. But man, it was held by patriarchy on the other side firmly and for a long, long time. I don’t like labels. I think people should be people and should feel what they feel, and, to your point, not be an asshole. But perspective is paramount in this issue, and coming from the female side. I can tell you that it is hard to feel sympathetic for men’s plea to be allowed to express their dominant trait, when for centuries women have not been able to do even an iota of the same. Interesting topic for sure.
Thanks Mattie… you get what I am trying to convey… these traits are universal to humans, not just one gender identity. We need to focus on what makes us human and we are at our best when we are lifting those around us to achieve their dreams!
So very true life’s becoming to politicised political correctness is creating so many problems and will continue to do so if left unchecked
The problem today is we do not celebrate masculinity. We have gone too far the other way in feminizing our society , which is not about equality. Its about favoritism towards woman at the expense of men.
No one seems to notice that the entire human civilization was built by man. Point to a part of your city that was planned, designed, built and maintained by women. Show me an occupation that is dangerous and requires hard physical strength that is dominated by woman, no there isn’t one and that’s where men and their masculinity are essential. .
There is no gender imbalance. The traditional relationships between men and woman through history was mutually beneficial to both sides .
We are living in a time where social conditioning through media is now controlling how we think and what we believe. I say question everything that is being fed to you and follow the trail back to whoever is trying to manipulate so you see the real agenda.
A lot of these traits have to be taught at home early with both adults expressing them in normal situations.. Too many kids never truly learn how healthy and positive these reactions are instead hear about it on a computer. We as men and women must work to find the ying and yang of our experience and not allow outsiders to dictate who we are.