Toxic Masculinity And How It Hurts Men

What is toxic masculinity?

Toxic masculinity is a set of harmful and damaging behaviors that are associated with traditional notions of manhood. These behaviors include violence, aggression, dominance, and emotional suppression. Toxic masculinity can be harmful to men and women, and it can contribute to a number of social problems, including violence against women and homophobia.

How does toxic masculinity hurt men?

Toxic masculinity can hurt men in a number of ways. It can lead to physical and mental health problems, as well as relationship problems and problems at work.

Specifically, toxic masculinity can lead to:

• Increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and cancer
• Increased risk of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse
• Increased risk of domestic violence and other forms of violence
• Relationship problems, such as difficulty forming and maintaining healthy relationships
• Problems at work, such as difficulty being promoted or getting ahead

What can we do about toxic masculinity?

There are a number of things that we can do to address toxic masculinity. We can start by educating ourselves about the problem and its consequences. We can also challenge sexist and homophobic attitudes and behaviors, and we can support men who are struggling to meet traditional notions of manhood.

We can also create more inclusive and supportive environments for men. This means creating workplaces and schools where men feel comfortable expressing their emotions and being themselves. It also means creating more opportunities for men to connect with each other and to learn about healthy masculinity.

By working together, we can create a more just and equitable world for everyone.

Additional resources

For more information on toxic masculinity, please visit the following resources:

• American Psychological Association: Toxic Masculinity
• National Library of Medicine: The Concept of Toxic Masculinity
• The Atlantic: Toxic Masculinity, Explained

Toxic Masculinity