Soy-Boy: Derogatory Language as a Weapon
How is name-calling used as a tool of toxic masculinity?
Editor’s note: This post contains words that may be considered offensive and derogatory. The author uses the terminology to discuss the use of language as a weapon.
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Earlier this week on Twitter, I read a #myjobhereisdone tweet by a mother who was watching Sleeping Beauty with her young son. The boy was outraged that the prince kissed Sleeping Beauty without first asking her permission. I was elated at this tweet, partially because my son and I have had almost the same conversation (albeit about the song “Kiss the Girl” from the Little Mermaid), and partially because in order to change the nature of relationships, we must teach our young boys how to treat others, be they women or other men.
In my excitement, I made the mistake of scrolling down into the thread to read the replies. As an aside, if you want to see the worst of humanity, trolls who hide behind the anonymity of a keyboard, read the comment section, or the replies to any post. It doesn’t even matter what the original post/tweet/column/article was about, it is only a matter of time before the reply section becomes overtly political and divisive. This was the case with this tweet as well.
