TOXIC MASCULINITY: A REAL PROBLEM

Authored by HARI RAAM

Toxic masculinity is nothing but a conventional idea of glorifying strength, aggressiveness or dominance which affects mental health. Countless men were diagnosed with a mental health condition but do not take any action, as they believe it makes them vulnerable. Men who talk about their emotional struggles are usually considered “less manly” or “weak person” ; it makes them feel vulnerable. As a result, men suppress their emotions, ignore their feelings, and dismiss their feminine qualities, which harms their mental health.

Toxic masculinity is still a problem, and the best way to teach men that emotions do not devalue them or make them weak is to change the mentality in them from a young age. Toxic masculinity begins small and has a lifetime impact on young boys, who are growing up into young men. Telling a boy he shouldn’t show emotions because he is a man, can result in that child suppressing emotions in his entire life. Inappropriate behavior by referring to their gender can lead to the absence of limits, aggression, and the absolute disrespect of others, particularly women. And in the worst-case scenario, it might also lead to suicide. Predominantly, men deserve to have a more positive outlook on life. We cannot continue to keep on spreading ideas of toxic masculinity. It harms boys as well as girls too, and it harms the morale of society. As a society, we must recognize that everyone is human, and it is important to find healthy ways to express human emotions, especially men. This is not a gender issue, if we take this as a human issue, toxic masculinity will fade. 

                                            

We need to normalize men being too emotional about their feelings, crying freely, breaking down, buying dolls for their son, wearing pink, cooking, changing diapers, making their wives drive, cleaning the house and utensils, earning less than their wives, and so on. The most common phrases we need to avoid are: “boys don't cry”, “You play like a girl”, “Don't cry like a girl”, “You are too sensitive like a girl”. We often tell boys to “ man up”,” don't be girly”. What we are actually communicating is “don't be a female, because being a female is less”. 

There are many harmful effects of toxic masculinity, suppression of emotions often leads to aggression. Men with toxic masculinity frequently show aggressive emotion, which can prevent men from other emotions. It encourages aggression as the best way for men to demonstrate their strength and power and discourages them from other ways to release their emotions. It often makes men feel that their identity depends on their ability to be superior to women and this instigates rape culture.

Men are often pressured by society to "be men" in the conventional sense rather than just be human. Society should stop labeling men or boys as “strong” or “weak”. We should teach all boys how to be gentle and respect everyone at a very young age and show them emotionally engagement is not a weakness, but rather a necessary part of growing up, we'll be able to reach them before toxic attitudes have a chance to form. Regardless of how difficult it might be, we must try to strive to improve the thought process of society.