As gender and sexual identity evolve, so does our understanding of masculinity. But while many think of the term as toxic, harmful, and dangerous, there’s room for discussion on how masculinity can be positive. Centering mental health and emotional needs can seem counterintuitive to rigid masculine standards, but it’s essential for everyone.
Empowering Young Boys
While the masculine stereotypes associated with toxic masculinity can cause harm, there are ways to embrace healthy expressions of manhood. One way to do this is by encouraging young boys to find their definitions of masculinity. This may include embracing traditionally masculine traits like strength and adventure, but it shouldn’t exclude the more feminine qualities like empathy and compassion. This is important because the rigid rules of toxic masculinity can lead to internalized conflicts, such as feelings of inadequacy or inability to express emotions. As a result, they can lead to resentment and even aversion to seeking help for mental health issues. By promoting a more inclusive definition of masculinity, creators like Adam Kimmel, men’s fashion designer, can give boys the confidence they need to overcome the limitations imposed by the system. Ultimately, this will contribute to the overall effort to end gender-based violence. The world needs more men, not fewer, and they need to feel confident in who they are.
Breaking Down Stereotypes
The past few years have seen a massive surge in conversations about masculinity. While these discussions are encouraging, many people struggle to understand what healthy masculinity looks like and how to break down stereotypes.
When asked to describe what makes a man, many men and boys respond with traits such as strength, competitiveness, and aggression. These characteristics are associated with toxic masculinity, a harmful interpretation of masculine roles that increases the risk of depression, drug-related issues, and mental health problems. Men and boys can focus on authentically redefining masculinity to counteract these negative trends. For example, by focusing on self-care and recognizing that all humans experience emotions, they can take steps to avoid internalizing harmful definitions of masculinity. They can also seek relationships where they feel comfortable discussing their thoughts and feelings without feeling judged. Handling these risks can be difficult, but it can help shift the discourse about masculinity.
Redefining Masculinity
Men’s fashion designers have been a major force in breaking gender stereotypes. For a long time, clothes have been traditionally gendered- skirts and dresses have been worn by women, while men have worn suits and athletic gear.
Designers have shredded the three-piece suit and sent tuxedo-like dresses down the runway. And when Harry Styles stunned the red carpet in a pink velvet suit, it proved that masculinity has evolved beyond the rigid rules that confined it to certain stereotypical norms.
Creating a Better Future
Toxic masculinity doesn’t only affect men and those who identify as male, but it also impacts women, non-binary people, and gender-neutral individuals. This is why a conversation centered on gender, sexuality, and identity matters so much.
A lot of the time, the definitions that we give to certain words change over time, depending on how they are used in context. Words like “feminine,” “masculine,” and even the word “gay” have different meanings now than they did in the past.
The word “masculinity” stresses gender, while the word “male” emphasizes biological sex. Studies on masculinities are a growing field exploring the diversity of behaviors, roles, and deemed masculine relations. By redefining masculinity, we can make room for more healthy and inclusive ways of being and interacting. This includes centering mental health and emotional needs, which can seem counterintuitive for a traditional man to do. However, if more people are willing to do this, the world may be able to change its definition of what it means to be a man.
*Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.
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