Masculinity is the asset of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with men and boys. Although masculinity is social culture, it has always been that some behaviors considered masculine are those that are inborn. It is distinct from the definition of the biological make sex as both male and female can exhibit masculine traits. Standard of masculinity varies from different cultures and historical periods, trait traditionally viewed as masculine include strength, courage, independence, leadership, and assertiveness.

Toxic masculinity is a catch-all term for the behavior of men and masculine folks. A study in the Journal of the School of Psychology explains harmful masculinity as “the constellation of socially regressive masculine traits that serve to foster domination, the devaluation of women, homophobia, and wanton violence.” Often in modern society toxic masculinity is described as exaggerated masculine traits that many cultures have widely accepted or glorified.

According to traditional toxic masculinity terms a man who does not display “enough” traits of dominance, sexual virility, self-sufficiency, lack of emotions, and strength may fall short of being a real man. Toxic masculinity doesn’t just involve displays of aggression or discrimination; it shows up in subtle ways you may not even recognize. If a male excuses mistakes with phrases such as  “I’m a guy what do you expect” while in reality a meaningful apology would be appropriate, then there’s an opportunity to internalize and ask questions.

While toxic masculinity has effects on an individual, it can also have enormous societal impacts. Here are just a few of these impacts, while keeping in mind that while toxic masculinity plays a contributing role in these issues, it isn’t always the sole cause;

1. Rape culture, toxic masculinity ideology tends to treat women as sexual conquests, contributing to ongoing issues like rape. This refers to the tendency to remove blame from sexual assailants and place it on the victim.
2. Violence, toxic masculinity teaches men and masculine people that aggression and struggles are important to solving problems unless you want to appear weak. The resulting violence, which can show up in many forms including intimate partner violence and gun violence, can have far-reaching effects on those who aren’t even directly involved.
3. Social exclusion, there are plenty of men and masculine identifying people who don’t display traits of toxic masculinity still these folk might be impacted by those who do display those traits in the form of social exclusion. Especially among children and teens, those who don’t fit inside that predetermined box of what it means to be masculine might find themselves ostracized because of it.
4. Mental health concern, significantly more men than women die by suicide than women. Men, like women, experience anxiety, depression, and mental illness. However, men are more likely than women to underutilize mental health services and more reluctant to seek help this is because of toxic masculinity.
5. Instill frustration and anger; toxic masculinity teaches men that they should not express their feelings and if they do they are not masculine enough.

After learning how toxic masculinity has had a negative impact on society, we have an opportunity to do and be better. Let’s raise our boys in a way that they can be able to express their emotions without feeling the need to explain.