AES10 Toxic Masculinity

Toxic masculinity involves cultural pressures for men to behave in a certain way. And it’s likely this affects all boys and men in some fashion. Toxic masculinity refers to the notion that some people’s idea of “manliness” perpetuates domination, homophobia, and aggression. This idea that men need to act tough and avoid showing all emotions can be harmful to their mental health and can have serious consequences for society, which is how it became known as “toxic masculinity.”

Toxic masculinity is thought to young boys, and it’s very harmful it’s literally damaging their mental health. I have a younger brother and I take responsibility for building him to be an individual that isn’t toxically masculine. But my pov most of the time doesn’t go with my grandma’s pov. She thinks that being strong, bold, and masculine is the way for every male individual. 

One time my brother painted his nails and got into a huge fight with my grandma, my grandma said that it was inappropriate for a boy to wear nail polish. Meanwhile, I know very well that my grandma likes doing things that are masculine, she also wears things that are more masculine. But no one finds that a problem, but when my 8-year-old brother wants to wear nail polish somehow it’s an issue? So I always have my brother’s back when he wants to have his nails painted Im the one that defends him, because I know doing things that are feminine isn’t a negative thing. And thank God my mom supports my ideas and she treats her children equally regardless of their gender. 

I also often hear parents say “Don’t cry, you’re a boy, not a girl”. They’re making expressing emotions a female-only thing. And some parent even calls their son weak for crying. Most men that turn to be abusive in their marriage are usually the men that weren’t able to learn how to show and communicate their emotions as a child. It’s like the only emotion that men can show is anger and happiness. I also see many men that are scared to go to therapy and get mental health support. 

Feminism is also a movement that is trying to end toxic masculinity or any form of gender-based violence, so that adds up to reasons to be a feminist. 

Let’s support young boys and men to end toxic masculinity. Men doing feminine things doesn’t make you less of a man! If you are able to show and communicate your emotion, be loving and caring, and also be your true self, that is what makes you a man and most importantly a human being.

picture : https://id.pinterest.com/pin/617908011372274032/