If this were the only topic to be addressed, we would need only a brief conversation. There is absolutely no doubt that the #MeToo movement exposed a tremendous amount of despicable behavior by men toward women, behavior that follows from traditional gender roles as performed by old fashioned men. In particular, the notion that men need to be aggressive, dominant, violent and denigrating toward women.
But while the individual actions of men may need to be called out, and we must all agree to put a stop to these nasty, anti-social behaviors, unfortunately the "toxic masculinity" label has become a blanket accusation toward all men in practically all situations, and this is not useful. Male problems in general are seen as symptoms of toxic masculinity. Blaming is generally not a useful tactic for self-growth, nor is use of the phrase "toxic masculinity" a simple matter.
These problems are first and foremost about how men interact with other men, and as a consequence, how men perceive themselves. And it all starts with how we raise boys. Most boys are raised in a schoolyard crucible of self-doubt and shame enforced by their peers. These include mandatory requirements for performing manhood and fierce restrictions on what one must not be, including the women-denigrating "stop being such a girl."
Elsewhere on this site we discuss the history of the phrase "toxic masculinity" (originally from the late 20th century men's movement), but suffice to say that it was picked up by fourth-wave feminism as a response to the rise of the #MeToo era and both went viral.
Masculinity is a neutral human trait, nothing more or less, and it is the agenda of the Shine a Light Men's Project to develop a more positive masculinity that avoids denigrating either men or women.
Add comment
Comments