,
9 tweets,
6 min read
Read on Twitter
Hi Corbin - thanks for your note. Here are my takes on toxic masculinity, though you are right to consult several sources; this is just a brief overview and lots of feminists are doing important writing on this topic, which is often woefully (or willfully) misunderstood. [thread] 
What is toxic masculinity?
Behaviors socialized as masculine that promote violence (especially in power-seeking), intermale hierarchies, primacy entitlement, emotional stoicism and misogyny.
It's the idea that Real Men™ are violent, "alpha," emotionless, misogynistic jerks.
Behaviors socialized as masculine that promote violence (especially in power-seeking), intermale hierarchies, primacy entitlement, emotional stoicism and misogyny.
It's the idea that Real Men™ are violent, "alpha," emotionless, misogynistic jerks.
Importantly, toxic masculinity doesn't mean, "toxic men" or that masculinity or being male is inherently toxic. Some masculine concepts reinterpreted in extremes, however, become harmful, and are socialized exclusively to men and/or as demonstrative of what it means to be a man.
What are some examples of Toxic Masculinity?
- Strength is demonstrated through violence
- Everything is a competition
- Sex with women is essential and reinforcing
- Sexual interest in men is negating
- Never show weakness:
> emotions
> pain
> need
> empathy
> compromise
- Strength is demonstrated through violence
- Everything is a competition
- Sex with women is essential and reinforcing
- Sexual interest in men is negating
- Never show weakness:
> emotions
> pain
> need
> empathy
> compromise
My favorite infographic on Toxic Masculinity is this one from @MensLibReddit which is both a fantastic account addressing healthy and productive solutions to contemporary men's issues and the only time I will direct you to Reddit.
Who does Toxic Masculinity effect? Everyone.
Men: creates a punitive norm that ostracizes and devalues those who don't conform
Women: frames them as sub-par objects to be controlled or sexualized, often violently
Trans/NB: encourages violence as punishment for nonconformity
Men: creates a punitive norm that ostracizes and devalues those who don't conform
Women: frames them as sub-par objects to be controlled or sexualized, often violently
Trans/NB: encourages violence as punishment for nonconformity
Toxic Masculinity is just as harmful or more harmful to men than anyone else
- discourages seeking medical or mental health help
- discourages emotional connection or fulfillment
- encourages violence against others and one another
- teaches men that nonconformity reduces value
- discourages seeking medical or mental health help
- discourages emotional connection or fulfillment
- encourages violence against others and one another
- teaches men that nonconformity reduces value
Feminists care about toxic masculinity because it affects humanity, not because we "hate men."
Rape culture, harmful gender roles, misogyny and violence against women are features of TM, not bugs. We don't want men to stop being men, we want them to stop being toxic.
//the end
Rape culture, harmful gender roles, misogyny and violence against women are features of TM, not bugs. We don't want men to stop being men, we want them to stop being toxic.
//the end
Special thanks @LukeHumphris via @thenib for his fantastic illustrations, included in thread.
