toxic masculinity
Harmful manhood norms
Toxic masculinity refers to cultural expectations of manhood that emphasize aggression, emotional suppression, and dominance while discouraging vulnerability or tenderness.
The term critiques specific harmful norms—not masculinity itself: Toxic masculinity teaches boys that crying is weakness.
Critics of the phrase argue it unfairly pathologizes male behavior generally.
- machismoExcessive masculine pride
- misogynyHostility toward women
- patriarchyMale-dominated social order
- sexismGender-based prejudice
- homophobiaPrejudice against same-sex attraction
hypermasculinity · locker room talk · boys will be boys · male privilege · shame · stoicism · gender roles · rape culture · aggression · dominance · bullying · honor culture · control · insecurity · gender dynamics · entitlement · rites of passage · harasser
- feminismfeminism, feminist theory, gender equality, women's rights, feminist novels
- gender stereotypesboys will be boys, pink for girls, blue for boys, man up, strong men
- Modern Feminismintersectionality, riot grrrl, reproductive rights, workplace equality, pay equity
- feminist mediamale gaze, female gaze, Bechdel test, representation, spectatorship
- gendergender, male, female, masculine, feminine
- mental healthpsychiatry, psychotherapy, mental illness, psychiatrist, therapist
toxic masculinityemotional intelligence
Capacity for managing feelings
vulnerability · empathy · self-awareness · emotional literacy · secure attachment
toxic masculinityemotional availability
Receptiveness to others' feelings
egalitarianism · mutual respect · empathy · compassion · nurturing
toxic, intoxicated, toxin, nontoxic, masculinity, toxins, intoxicating, intoxicate, intoxication