Feminism | Gender Roles | Sexism

Hitting Like a Girl: Toxic Femininity and Internalized Misogyny

It’s not what the Manosphere thinks it is

Remember this? When washing machines were advertised as a way to save women time? | Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Toxic masculinity is one of those phrases that is often willfully misunderstood.

When feminists talk about toxic masculinity, we mean the harmful behaviours that men are taught to exhibit to appear ‘manly.’ Things like suppressing their emotions, being dominant to the point of callousness, and avoiding the things they enjoy if they make them appear ‘girly.’

But when we say ‘toxic masculinity,’ some men hear ‘masculinity is toxic.’

This is not at all what that term means. Being masculine in the traditional sense is not necessarily toxic at all. There’s nothing wrong with being a giant, muscular gym bro who works a factory job and likes beer and cigars at the end of a long day.

You do you. Although maybe don’t go full Ron Swanson — take care of your health, bro. You can have more beer and cigars if you live longer!

My father is literally a pipe-smoking blacksmith who works as an electrician. He practices martial arts, goes rock climbing, loves a camping trip in the middle of nowhere, and fixes everything that breaks in his house.