Stop the Madness, America’s War on Masculinity.
In Today’s “Woke” Culture, it seems everyone is an expert on everything. Somebody reads an article on BuzzFeed or Medium and, they believe they now have the knowledge comparable to someone with a P. H. D. As a writer myself, I do appreciate it when someone treats articles written by a stranger as Holy Scripture. Yet, this madness has to end.
I, like most people, browse articles in my down time, but no matter where I am browsing, I always seem to run into titles of articles such as; The scourge of Toxic Masculinity or Red Flags of a Toxic Man. Well today I am telling you, dear reader, enough is enough.
The term Toxic Masculinity, like a lot of terms today, is tossed around whenever anyone determines someone else’s behavior as, according to their own opinions, distasteful. One definition in The Oxford Dictionary, describes Toxic Masculinity as, a set of attitudes and ways of behaving stereotypically associated with or expected of men, regarded as having a negative impact on men and on society as a whole. With this definition, it’s easy to see why some people regard any attitude associate with masculinity as negative. In public when these same people see a man they see a villain, they see a violent person driven by a primal agenda.
This is the madness that needs to stop. Now as a society we are enthralled with individualism. Yet men today are being shunned for the simple fact that they are being themselves, being masculine. Traditionally, men learn to be men from their fathers. Yet, in today’s culture, growing up without a father is much too common. Whether its fault of the father, fault of the mother or by fault of some other outside force.
The purpose of this article is not to lay blame or point fingers. Yet its safe to say the outcome of a young boy who grows up without any other male figure to look up to, has little chance of being positive. Without a man present, where does that positive masculine influence come from? His mother? The Television? The Internet? Yet I digress. Again The point of the article is to raise awareness not blame. Think twice before you judge a man, and for men, take a moment to look into your own values. Don’t throw toxic masculinity around as one throws candy at a parade.
The terms positive masculinity and negative masculinity are much easier to define. Positive masculinity covers ideas such as, protecting your loved ones, and keeping your mind in shape as well as your body. That means read, study, and learn. Physical strength is certainly an asset. However physical strength can only accomplish so much. A night out with the guys is also great, yet respect those around you and always place your family as the number one priority in your life. The term Negative Masculinity would cover all the ideas previously associated with toxic masculinity, such as; acting out of aggression, the act of selfishness, and treating sex as an act of dominance versus an act of affection.
All to often in today’s culture, good is often overshadowed by the bad, which makes masculinity ugly. Treat masculinity as a positive force. Like anything else, our families, our life, and our society requires balance. We as a species, need masculinity as much as femininity In our selves as well as in our culture, both aspects are good, both aspects are necessary.
Next time you see a man don’t discount him for being a man. Men, look into your own ideals and decide what makes you a man, be proud of the fact that you are a man. Use your masculinity as a force of good. Yes our past as men has been riddled with wrong, but mistakes are how we learn. Don’t treat masculinity as a curse. It’s a blessing that you alone as a man posses.
Stop the Madness, America’s War on Masculinity.
By. Alan Chester
