toxic masculinity

American  

[tok-sik mas-kyuh-lin-i-tee] / ˈtɒk sɪk ˌmæs kyəˈlɪn ɪ ti /

noun

1. a cultural concept of manliness that glorifies stoicism, strength, virility, and dominance, and that is socially maladaptive or harmful to mental health.

   Men and women both suffer when toxic masculinity perpetuates expectations that are restrictive and traumatizing.

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Usage

What does toxic masculinity mean? "Be a man. Only girls cry." This saying is an example of toxic masculinity, cultural expectations and standards of aggressive male behavior that are harmful not only to women and society but also to men themselves.

Etymology

Origin of toxic masculinity

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

This novel, winner of the Booker Prize, uses a blunt, clipped style to advantage, exposing Istvan as an exemplar of both toxic masculinity and hinting at what’s required to escape it.

From Los Angeles Times

Here, Shepard publicly wrestled with every demon that family delivered, sorting through toxic masculinity with a rare intelligence and ferocity, determined to, as he said, “destroy the idea of the family drama.”

From Los Angeles Times

Recently, Stephen Graham, who starred in Adolescence, which explored toxic masculinity, announced a new book calling for fathers to have more open conversations with their sons.

From BBC

Netflix's hit TV series Adolescence explored toxic masculinity and the impact of mobile phones and social media on teenagers and family life.

From BBC

She added: “People talk about this toxic masculinity. Let’s put that to the side for just one second—this is about insecure masculinity, and one of the best ways that you can dismantle a movement of insecure men is by making fun of them.”

From Slate