Negative Effects Of Masculinity

The topic of masculinity is on the forefront of everybody’s minds because of the social climate. In recent headlines, toxic masculinity has been in hot water due to recent allegations of sexual assault from some of the most prominent men in politics and Hollywood. This brings up the debate: is masculinity toxic and should it as a tradition be abandoned? The concept of masculinity should be abandoned because of the harmful effects on to society and young boys. Masculinity promotes gender inequality and teaches damaging values. Masculinity is toxic because it is less about embracing one's manhood, and more about being anti-feminine and anti-women. Moreover, society has associated femininity with empathy and emotions, whereas, masculinity is associated

While many associate masculinity with being strong and collected, that preconception of what men should like is harmful and wrong. However some may still ask: what’s wrong with being a man? The definition is what is wrong with masculinity. American culture classifies masculinity as tough, egotistic, powerful, and rigid. We use the phrase, “man up” to exercise power over others while remaining toughened to oneself. “To be a man” is to play into the stereotypes projected on by society, with little room for individualism. There’s no room for compassion, empathy, or softened humanity. That would all be associated with femininity, which should be no where near a growing

Masculinity has been linked to mental illnesses, behavioral issues and drug abuse. American young men and boys are more likely than girls to be diagnosed with depression, a behavior disorder, prescribed stimulant medications, and often times commit suicide (Newsom). Masculinity can be so damaging to the youth because while boys are in the midst of figuring out who they are, they also have unwanted visions for how they should look, speak and act. Society puts all of these unwanted expectations on boys and young men, while they are still trying to grow up and learn how to navigate the world. Growing up is a stressful time in anyone’s life, young boys and soon-to-be men do not need ungranted expectations and regulations forced upon them by outsiders. It is unfair to do to America’s future. Society discourages young boys and men from seeking help in fear of looking “weak” or “unmanly”. Therefore, reinforcing the belief that in order to appear tough and masculine, one cannot project emotions or feelings onto