Toxic Masculinity - A Mental Health Issue
When most of us think about masculinity, we picture a strong, capable, successful man. One that defines manhood in all its glory. However, what most of us fail to recognize is that masculinity also equates to a societal standard that has been perpetrated throughout history. It has become normal for men to display acts of toughness and achievement.
But, what if I told you that this is toxic behavior that leads to mental health issues in our society?
In this post, I'm going to discuss a few reasons why toxic masculinity should be considered an epidemic that requires intervention.
What is Toxic Masculinity, Exactly?
Toxic masculinity can be defined as "strategic enactments of masculinities that are harmful to both the men who enact them and the people around them" (Wade & Ferree, 148). In other words, a man acting like a "real man" can be considered both dangerous and destructive.
The Dangers of Masculinity
Ultimately, danger and destruction lead to physical and mental health issues such as injuries and depression. What's worse? Men are more likely to die by suicide and/or commit violent acts against others (Wade & Ferree, 145).
So, how does this happen in a society that was founded on men's behavior?
Compensatory Masculinity
In the face of a threat, men may rely on their masculinity or manliness to compensate for their fear of becoming less than. They refuse to be seen as weak or defenseless and this correlates to a suppression of emotions. And, men that are out of touch with their emotional self have a difficult time balancing between right and wrong which further instigates their fears and leads to those aforementioned violent acts, on themselves and others.
Hypermasculinity
Even without threat, some men may conform to more aggressive behaviors simply because it is considered acceptable and natural in our society. They refuse healthcare when they are ill or "resist the sensation of empathy" (Wade & Ferree, 144) which lends to the notion that they are not only harming themselves but also a threat to others.
Is Toxic Masculinity a Mental Health Issue?
When we see men defining themselves as hypermasculine or compensating for their fears, we notice the toxicity of this concept of manliness. As it is further infiltrated in society within families, corporations, and even every day dialogue, we can see that this is a very serious issue to consider as one of a mental health nature. From the corporations that run on the fuel that is masculine behavior instilling stress in our workforce to the broken families with wives and children that suffer from such debilitating issues such as PTSD, to the endless wars fought around the world that establish more PTSD and drug or alcohol addiction, toxic masculinity has developed a society that suffers. And, it's almost completely out of control. Society has gone mad, in a sense, based on these characteristics that most of us think is pretty damn normal.
It's time to consider toxic masculinity for what it is. A virulent epidemic for which we must find a cure.
Sources
Wade, Lisa. Ferree, Myra Max. (2019). Gender - Ideas, Interactions, Institutions. N.W. Norton & Company, Inc. New York, London.
