4 ms·

I'm amazed that a term like 'toxic masculinity' is still in acceptable use. Consider how it would be obviously problematic to use a term like 'toxic femininity'

I'm amazed that a term like 'toxic masculinity' is still in acceptable use. Consider how it would be obviously problematic to use a term like 'toxic femininity' and take certain behaviors associated with women, label those behaviors as harmful to society and aim to reduce those behaviors in women--all for the benefit of both women and men, of course.

0-_-0 5y ago
I think there are both beneficial and toxic aspects of both masculinity and feminity. My issue is not as much with the phrase itself but the way it's used.
fallingfrog 5y ago
No, I disagree- the phrase “toxic masculinity” was coined to contrast it from ordinary, non-toxic masculinity. They were making sure to be specific that masculinity by itself is not toxic, just specific behaviors. I associate positive masculinity with traits like: being brave, responsible, open hearted, generous, and so forth.
- rswskg 5y ago
  A better way of using 'positive masculinity' is just to say masculinity.
- insickness 5y ago
  So would it be okay if I said that femininity is not toxic, just specific feminine behaviors and then went out to try to eliminate those behaviors in women?
  - fallingfrog 5y ago
    Well, these behaviors are because of history and culture and circumstance, mostly exhibited by men. But, you sometimes do see women behaving that way too. It’s just basically what you might call “antisocial macho bullshit”. But I don’t think there’s anything biological about men that makes them act badly, and I get your point that it wouldn’t fair or helpful or accurate to tell men that being a man is bad somehow. It might be the case that in the future we could start calling it just “toxic antisocial behavior” or something, and it might be a positive change to start calling it that way. It just happens to be usually men that act that way, here and now. Based on what the article said the people acting this way are mostly young, maybe without a lot people they can lean on, frustrated and lonely. You want to keep those people from hurting anyone but you also want to help them become more confident happy people which is going to make a big difference. Just calling them “toxic” isn’t going to help anyone. So I guess, I see where you’re coming from there.

0-_-0 5y ago

I think there are both beneficial and toxic aspects of both masculinity and feminity. My issue is not as much with the phrase itself but the way it's used.

fallingfrog 5y ago

No, I disagree- the phrase “toxic masculinity” was coined to contrast it from ordinary, non-toxic masculinity. They were making sure to be specific that masculinity by itself is not toxic, just specific behaviors. I associate positive masculinity with traits like: being brave, responsible, open hearted, generous, and so forth.

rswskg 5y ago
A better way of using 'positive masculinity' is just to say masculinity.
insickness 5y ago
So would it be okay if I said that femininity is not toxic, just specific feminine behaviors and then went out to try to eliminate those behaviors in women?
- fallingfrog 5y ago
  Well, these behaviors are because of history and culture and circumstance, mostly exhibited by men. But, you sometimes do see women behaving that way too. It’s just basically what you might call “antisocial macho bullshit”. But I don’t think there’s anything biological about men that makes them act badly, and I get your point that it wouldn’t fair or helpful or accurate to tell men that being a man is bad somehow. It might be the case that in the future we could start calling it just “toxic antisocial behavior” or something, and it might be a positive change to start calling it that way. It just happens to be usually men that act that way, here and now. Based on what the article said the people acting this way are mostly young, maybe without a lot people they can lean on, frustrated and lonely. You want to keep those people from hurting anyone but you also want to help them become more confident happy people which is going to make a big difference. Just calling them “toxic” isn’t going to help anyone. So I guess, I see where you’re coming from there.