Why have people started distancing themselves from the term ‘toxic masculinity’? — The Centre for Male Psychology

Sparrowphone · 2025-08-14T23:03:25+00:00

I hope the term dies for good.

When a female person perpetuates a harmful gender norm it is framed as "internalized misogyny"

When a make person does the same it is framed as "toxic masculinity".

This is more of the hypoagency/ hyperagency narrative being played out - women are framed as being passively "acted upon" by external gender norms while men are framed as actively perpetuating harmful norms from within.

It's bullshit.

turntobeer · 2025-08-15T00:01:51+00:00

There are toxic people certainly, some are men, some are women.

Time for that term to fade into obscurity.

mw136913 · 2025-08-15T00:42:22+00:00

Its all about control. All the tactics always come down to one common denominator. Control of you.

Refuse. Defy. Be your own man. Never apologize. Never stop.

Plastic_Tooth159 · 2025-08-14T23:35:59+00:00

It was the easy way of calling out males that didn't have to fit categories of any actual toxic behaviors.

So, in turn a majority of males have found themselves walking on egg shells followed up with disassociating themselves from the normal public discourse of a free flowing society. In cases, to have the smallest gestures of even holding a door open for someone (female) or saying hello to someone possibly being construed as unwanted advancement and even harassment was plenty enough for even the most respectful males to simple shut down. Males, young and old don't know where to stand on these issues and found it most practical is we merely backed off and started to turn the other way, quietly quitting engagement.

I'm definitely sad for young men, especially. Oh boy, do they have a very confusing, angry and lonely life ahead of them. But soon enough, females will be able to equate being around bears and males equally rather than having to choose one or the other.

Not hating here, just see the numbers and trends going directions that will take a lot of introspection and willingness to communicate in ways designed to bring us closer to one another. I don't see it happening any time soon. .

FourEaredFox · 2025-08-15T08:43:37+00:00

Because it lost them an election. That's the only reason. Don't trust it.

rusty083 · 2025-08-15T00:04:57+00:00

Have they? I haven’t noticed. If anything it seems the term is being thrown around more flippantly, as a perjorative to describe just about anything. For example it used to mean something like “ostentatious displays of male aggression and/or competitiveness” now it basically just means being being in the company of other males without a female to moderate. Working out at the gym = toxic masculinity. Night on the town with the lads = toxic masculinity. Tinder dates for the purpose of casual sex = toxic masculinity. Ordering 500g prime rib = toxic masculinity. Of course when the genders are reversed it’s no longer “toxic” but a celebration of women’s liberation at the hands of their oppressors. It’s hilarious.

Pretend-Storm4566 · 2025-08-15T01:49:30+00:00

This is great news. Now, what about "patriarchy"??

rabel111 · 2025-08-15T05:14:55+00:00

Its not often that MRAs can talk about positive change, and even more infrequent that they can bring about change. But the fall (even gradual) of the term "toxic masculinity" may be one such occassion.

As Dr Barry and associates acknowledged, the waning popularity of terms like "toxic masculinity" may not be indicative of cultural change. But there is some light in darkness of pathologised masculinity.

MRAs, and in particular, psychologists and academics specialising in men's mental health, have brought about a change in LANGUAGE that is as novel as it is monumental. And the message this has for all of us is clear.

We can make a difference!! We can make the world a better place where people are provided assistance on the basis of need, not gender.

All credit to John Barry and Martin Seager and thier couragous writing in the hostile environs of men's mental health, peer reviewed literature.

OhNoesTheWamen · 2025-08-15T15:47:08+00:00

Because it's a nonsense term that demonizes men. The term "masculinity" is never seen without "toxic". It's a label that says "we hate men".

Sufficient_Button363 · 2025-08-15T12:18:45+00:00

Re Wallace and Torrode on masterchef, I see a couple of contestants wanted out after all production was done but before the scandal Anyone know what their specific objections were? I'm sure ther weren't in support of the two MSPs.lol.

Argentarius1 · 2025-08-15T01:44:26+00:00

It was an obvious provocation which men should not have entertained as if it were good faith.

It's like "defund the police"; it's used as an expression of hostility covered by the flimsy excuse that it has a benevolent original technical meaning.

Someone needs to be made to answer for the way people were encouraged to attack the character of their boys from the time they were very young.

Title	Why have people started distancing themselves from the term ‘toxic masculinity’? — The Centre for Male Psychology
Author	iainmf
Upvotes	201
Comments	23
Date	August 14, 2025 10:51 PM UTC (11 months ago)
Subreddit	Posted in /r/MensRights
Original Link	https://old.reddit.com/r/MensRights/comments/1mqg0pn/why_have_people_started_distancing_themselves/
Archive Link	https://theredarchive.com/r/MensRights/why-have-people-started-distancing-themselves-from.1559602 https://theredarchive.com/post/1559602

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