The Problem With a Fight Against Toxic Masculinity

theromanshcheezit · 2020-12-16T06:39:24+00:00

Its interesting to see an Atlantic article make an argument about men that I agree with but here we are.

The main problem with the narrative of toxic masculinity is that it is used flippantly and half-assedly as the primordial universal cause of gendered violence and problematic actions by men. This narrative completely ignores the actual material causes of violence and proposes solutions that don't really do anything to solve the rates of gendered violence.

Furthermore, it adds things such as homophobia, sexism, misogyny and aggression into the fundamental framework of masculinity automatically framing it as an undesirable trait.

For example, the alcohol industry has funded research to deny the relationship between alcohol and violence, instead blaming “masculinity” and “cultures of drinking.” In this regard, the industry is repeating liberal feminist arguments about toxic masculinity. However, there is strong evidence that the density of liquor shops in a given geographic area increases the local rate of domestic violence.

My only problem with the article is that I don't think it went far enough in calling out the narrative's effect in say the Duluth Model or any types of widespread domestic violence/interpersonal violence rehabilitation practices. So many times, we think that attitudes are the cause and that by changing attitudes, we'll change the outcomes but the reality is not that simple. We can't ignore material causes for gendered (and also racist -- but that's another story) violence.

So stop castigating masculinity and recognize the realities of the causes of problematic behaviors.

LeftyLucario · 2020-12-16T16:52:32+00:00

What I dislike about “toxic masculinity” is that right off the bat it’s an accusatory term. And implies that men are not just evil, but stupid a la “white man’s burden”.

Also, there’s something to be said about societal pressures being unhealthy, but masculinity is something men must decide for themselves.

To me, it seems like they want to “gentrify” masculinity for lack of a better term.

Klaus_Meadows · 2020-12-16T13:08:42+00:00

"toxic masculinity" is a lie. The narrative that a man is inherently toxic and must rise above(Gilette ad) is a manipulation technique and everyone is buying it. What they call "toxic masculinity" is in reality a lack a masculinity. Alcoholism, anger issues and superiority complex are the result of trauma, disorders and lack of masculine role models (no father figure, female dominated education and medias). Masculinity is not easy but it's powerful : it's to have intense emotion control(what society is blaming), to not be responsive to other's emotions and to be severe in punishment. Women hate emotional men in reality, they want literal rocks (Stoicism) Anyway, health and prosperity to us

Comments