The discussion of gender roles and the difference between men and women remain quite heated. A new term appeared during such a discussion, and although it is widely used, it still lacks a clear definition (Mal, 2019). Toxic masculinity is associated with male behavior and ideas regarding appropriate behavior and the man’s place in this world. Niazy (2019) stresses that the term is often seen as a kind of criticism, but it is far from that. Toxic masculinity is defined as a system attributing a set of features based on men’s gender. The term encompasses such concepts as power, domination, resilience, and self-esteem. It is believed that men have to be silent and invincible warriors who exercise power due to their status of a man.
Toxic masculinity can be referred to as a system of rather deviated behavioral patterns based on patriarchal stereotypes about gender roles. Men who try to show that they dominate and have the right to exercise power are likely to have low self-esteem. Their actions do not target others but rather aim at persuading themselves that they are worth being called a man. They think that violence is an appropriate way to establish one’s dominant position and earn people’s respect (Nazy, 2019). At the same time, toxic masculinity unveils certain males’ vulnerability and insecurity. Mal (2019) notes that toxic masculinity is many men’s response to the challenges of the modern world where emotional intelligence is essential. Males need to be encouraged to pay attention to their mental health in order to find and occupy their place in the world and meet their needs. Toxic masculinity will be eliminated when people stop dividing the world into two distinct paradigms, men’s and women’s worlds.
References
Mal, Y. (2019). Don’t just be a man: Be better. Destination KSA, 20-21.
Nazy, A. (2019). Identity reboot: Moving away from toxic culture. Destination KSA, 22-25.