Does Love Island have a 'toxic men' problem? independent.co.uk/life-style/lov…
As viewers criticise the male contestants on #LoveIsland, how helpful it is to label problematic behaviour on screen? 
During Tuesday’s episode, criticism percolated on social media, with viewers taking aim at Jacques O’Neill.
"He’s giving toxic masculinity vibes"
"He’s giving toxic masculinity vibes"
The phrase “toxic” has become common parlance when we talk about contemporary relationships. Along with many others – “gaslighting”, “emotional abuse” and “love bombing” – it’s a term used so frequently that its meaning has been diluted
The phrase 'toxic masculinity' was recently attached to Vladimir Putin, with Boris Johnson saying that the Russian president wouldn’t have launched a 'crazy, macho' attack on Ukraine had he been a woman
It’s also regularly applied to characters from popular culture, like Gossip Girl’s Chuck Bass and You’s Joe Goldberg 📺
“The word ‘toxic’ is thrown about frequently in modern society,” says psychotherapist Carly Webb.
“When we label someone as ‘toxic’, we’re often using this to dismiss challenging behaviour as opposed to engaging with the underlying emotions of all those involved”
“When we label someone as ‘toxic’, we’re often using this to dismiss challenging behaviour as opposed to engaging with the underlying emotions of all those involved”
Therapist Bobbi Banks explains that her clients often attach the term “toxic” to any challenging situation or communication difficulty.
“Unfortunately, however, it doesn’t always accurately represent what a toxic relationship, trait or dynamic actually looks like”
“Unfortunately, however, it doesn’t always accurately represent what a toxic relationship, trait or dynamic actually looks like”
The key is often about identifying patterns.
“Toxic relationships are characterised by emotionally and physically damaging behaviours which often affect a person’s wellbeing negatively over time”
“Toxic relationships are characterised by emotionally and physically damaging behaviours which often affect a person’s wellbeing negatively over time”
The problem is that today, the spectrum for what “toxic” encompasses is simply too broad, particularly on social media 📱
One consequence of this is that when an issue arises, we might conflate it with something commonplace and therefore be less likely to recognise its severity or seek support
Read the full story: independent.co.uk/life-style/lov…
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