Addressing Toxic Masculinity Can Help Us Save the Planet
Women are more likely than men to take “environmentally friendly” actions. Here’s why that’s a problem, and what we can do to solve it.
Climate change and its related symptoms and causes are undoubtedly feminist issues. Western perceptions of the planet as a place to dominate and control align with the toxic masculinity that is rampant in our culture. Worldwide, the impacts of climate change on women are raising alarm bells.
Natural disasters tend to lower the life expectancy of women more than men (meaning that on average, natural disasters kill more women than men). Globally, women tend to be more likely to be responsible for gathering resources like water and fuel, and those who have to walk long distances will therefore be more impacted by increasing global temperatures.
This does not mean that climate change will not affect men, nor does it mean that men are solely responsible for the current crisis. Dialogue that pins blame for the current situation on men fails to facilitate solutions and alienates allies in the fight for environmental justice. Instead, we must collectively address the cultural mindset of toxic masculinity in order to improve our relationship with the planet and accelerate climate solutions.
Environmental action cannot be gendered. Men are less likely to partake in activities like recycling and using reusable bags than women. Some suggest that the reason for this is that women are simply more altruistic and therefore more likely to care about the planet. But this explanation feels a little flat, especially considering that mainstream environmental organizations in the US have historically been dominated by men. It also further plays into stereotypes about the “inherent” emotional capacities (or limitations) of men and women which perpetuate flawed gender roles and social norms.
A 2016 study found an alternate explanation. Both men and women perceive eco-friendly behavior as feminine — both in others and in themselves. As a result, men are more likely to avoid eco-friendly behavior in order to avoid being seen as feminine. In another study, men were more likely to consider buying a hybrid car when shown a “masculine” ad than when shown a typical ad. Why is this? Men might feel they have more to lose if they are perceived as un-masculine, and therefore take concrete actions to build and protect the image of themselves they want others to see.
This attitude may be a vicious cycle as well. Many zero-waste products are aimed at reducing pollution on an individual level, and target products that are used in the home. Given that women still do the majority of household work, they are often the target of advertising for environmentally conscious products, further reinforcing the stereotype that eco-friendly action is feminine.
It shouldn’t need to be said, but these are obviously broad generalizations. Many of the men in my life are deliberate about ensuring their behavior is environmentally friendly, and have in fact introduced me to lifestyle changes and ideas that have helped me lead a more sustainable life. Instead, this research shows a general trend about the way we, as a society, perceive environmentally conscious behavior and the way those perceptions translate to action. And narrowing the gap between men and women in this respect will certainly not be helped by rhetoric that belittles individual men for the impacts of toxic masculinity.
The political ramifications of the gap are obvious. Men are more likely than women to be conservative, and conservative voters are also less likely to believe in climate change (although increasing numbers of young Republicans are calling for climate action). It is by no means a long shot to hypothesize that if environmental action were gender-neutral, it could be more likely that conservative voters would influence their representatives to take governmental actions that aligned with their values.
So what are the answers?
One solution to the gap between men and women in sustainability might be to brand environmentally friendly actions in “masculine” ways, such as using “manly” fonts and colors in advertising. While this solution does encourage environmental nonprofits and brands to broaden their target demographics, it does not address the root of the problem. Taking action to protect the planet that we all live on isn’t a masculine or a feminine responsibility — it’s a human one.
I don’t have answers for how to change an entire cultural mindset. Men who hold cultural power could help shift ideas of what it means to care for the environment by publicly advocating for climate action. Brands that sell products for men can integrate sustainability initiatives into their products and advertise them. Environmental ethos can be taught in schools from a young age to both boys and girls.
It is clear that climate action needs to include the perspectives of both men and women, and that addressing toxic masculinity can help create more climate solutions.
Our future depends on putting the needs of the planet over those of the patriarchy in order to heal nature and our own communities.
