What is toxic masculinity?

Answer

Toxic masculinity is a commonly used term in popular culture, often misused to convey a meaning contrary to its original purpose. When misapplied, the terms “toxic” and “masculine” are mistakenly equated. Instead of suggesting an inappropriate view of masculinity, toxic masculinity generally implies that all aspects of masculinity are inherently harmful.

It is crucial to differentiate between the original definition of toxic masculinity, its current usage, and the biblical perspective on masculinity and manhood. Initially, the term toxic masculinity was coined to address harmful attitudes that placed excessive pressure on men. However, over time, efforts to combat negative behaviors devolved into a broad attack on nearly anything associated with masculinity. While the Bible provides clear guidance on behaviors men should avoid, it does not condemn all manifestations of masculinity. In fact, positive examples of manhood are essential for a healthy society.

Targeting Misbehaving Men

Originally, toxic masculinity denoted a distorted portrayal of manhood—a twisted version of what it means to be a “real man.” This distorted view was linked to “hypermasculinity”: an exaggerated, stereotypical image of a tough, unfeeling he-man, always scowling and impervious to emotions or pain. This unfair and unrealistic stereotype of a “real man” was often held responsible when men felt compelled to suppress their emotions, isolate themselves, overwork, or refuse to acknowledge their failures. Initially, toxic masculinity aimed to challenge the mistaken belief that “real men” should not show emotions, display kindness, practice humility, or exhibit nurturing qualities.

As part of the same initiative, toxic masculinity was also used to address other behaviors that societal norms often pressure individuals to adopt in order to “prove their manhood.” For instance, the glorification of a promiscuous “playboy” mindset was critiqued as part of toxic masculinity, highlighting the harmful effects of such attitudes on individuals and society.

Unity and objectifies women was rightly considered toxic. Such early discussions of toxic masculinity also condemned misogyny, aggression, posturing, and bullying, among other character flaws.

Used Against Men Behaving

Over time, attacks on hypermasculinity seeped into criticism of any behavior stereotypically associated with men. Toxic masculinity has been unfairly applied to men who want to be protectors and providers for their spouse. Or to men who behave in ways that were once considered chivalrous. Or to those who value manual labor or athletics. Or even to men who prefer not to be excessively emotional or vulnerable. Traits such as competitiveness, bravery, or even merely being loud have been labeled as expressions of toxic masculinity by some modern critics.

Related to the idea of toxic masculinity is the modern term mansplaining. This word was coined to denote a man’s speech when talking down to a woman, assuming she doesn’t understand a subject—when, in fact, she understands better than he. Some people now use that expression nearly any time a male expresses a strong opinion or attempts to rationalize a viewpoint. Rather than dealing with the substance of the conversation, they dismiss it as “mansplaining” and reject the speaker for simply being a self-assured male.

Used Against Men

Misuse of the phrase toxic masculinity came about when the focus was placed on maleness rather than on truly inappropriate behaviors. The practical effect of this has been a general form of misandry: a prejudiced, unfair attitude or open hatred of men or all things masculine. Rather than criticizing excessive behaviors or encouraging positive ones, some people leap to the assumption that anything “boyish” or “manly” is, by definition, to be mocked or avoided.

Boys, especially, have suffered from this cultural trend. Competitiveness, risk-taking, daring, noisiness, and so forth are not always bad and were once accepted as “boys being boys.” Today, however, those traits are oOften labeled as inappropriate or even “toxic,” group settings frequently exacerbate this issue. Schools, care centers, recreation programs, and even churches now tend to promote equality of outcomes, collaborative work, sentimentality, and other more typically feminine expressions. Traditionally feminine behavior is emphasized as “positive,” while roughhousing, boisterousness, adventurousness, and so on are penalized as misbehavior.

This leads to an atmosphere where girls displaying more typically “girlish” behavior feel empowered and connected, while boys exhibiting more typically “boyish” behavior feel embarrassed or excluded.

Impact of Misandry

From a cultural standpoint, the challenge with criticizing all manifestations of manhood as toxic masculinity is that it becomes harder to address genuinely inappropriate behaviors. The use of anti-male terms like toxic masculinity, mansplaining, and manspreading results in even harmless expressions of masculinity being deemed inappropriate. This only blurs the line between being “male” and being “toxic” since everything is condemned regardless.

Truly harmful behaviors such as promiscuity, bullying, and emotional detachment are not improved when actions like chivalry, competitiveness, or courage are scorned. On the contrary, misandry leads to fewer positive instances of male behavior. It does not encourage boys to behave like girls; it only fosters shame and concealment. Leaving a “boyish” boy with no safe, moderated way to express himself is likely to make him resistant to criticism and guidance, ultimately developing a genuinely toxic character.

Manifestations of Virtue

The Bible teaches that everything God created is good when used for a noble purpose «For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: », (1 Timothy 4:4), and this includes God’s created design of male and female «So God created man in his own image, in tThe image of God created He him; male and female created He them. », (Genesis 1:27). There is absolutely nothing wrong with masculinity, but there is much wrong with behaviors that are toxic. What separates the two is a matter of application. Robbing a bank requires a measure of bravery, daring, and risk-taking, but so does being a firefighter. Like tools, such general ideas can be used with positive or negative intentions.

The goal ought not to be condemning that which is masculine but encouraging it. That is, those attitudes and behaviors that are naturally male— and that are applied in a godly way— should be celebrated. This accomplishes two things. First, it provides positive examples for boys and other men: “this is good; please do this.” Second, it empowers legitimately masculine men to confront and challenge those who exhibit toxic behavior.

Promoting a biblical model of masculinity also leads to a greater respect and appreciation for women. Attempting to make men and boys just like women and girls doesn’t help anyone. It’s been said that God did not create women to do everything men can do, but to do everything men cannot do (see Genesis 2:18-24). Celebrating the unique and precious gift of femininity isn’t possible unless there’s a complementary approach.

Masculinity and the Bible

Scripture debunks all notions of toxic masculinity; it condemns inappropriate behaviors and applauds positive ones. There is no better example of real manhood than Jesus Christ. His example, as given in the Bible, not only confronts hypermasculine attitudes, but it also shows how it’s possible to express supposedly “male” traits in a positive way.

Jesus was unafraid to show His emotions «Jesus wept. », (John 11:35), and yet HeWas also willing to chase crooks out of a temple with a whip (John 2:13-16). Christ cared for the needs of others (John 6:5-13) and demonstrated compassion (Mark 1:40-41), sensitivity (Luke 10:38-42), forgiveness (Luke 7:44-50), and humility (John 13:1-16). At the same time, He exhibited bravery (Mark 11:15-18;Luke 22:39-46), righteous confrontation (Matthew 23:13-36), proper judgment (John 4:15-18), boisterousness «In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. », (John 7:37), self-control (Matthew 4:1-11), and even playfulness (John 1:47-48).

More generally, God’s Word speaks against those attitudes that are truly toxic. Scripture denounces domineering «neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. », (1 Peter 5:3), greed «Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. », (Hebrews 13:5), avoiding idleness (Genesis 2:3;Mark 6:31), immorality «Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. », (Romans 13:13), selfishness «Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. », (Philippians 2:3), pride «For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. », (Romans 12:3), refraining from revenge «Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. », (Romans 12:19), and so on. It emphasizes the importance of love (John 13:34-35), empathy «Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. », (Galatians 6:2), kindness (Galatians 5:22-23), and peace «If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. », (Romans 12:18), while encouraging fortitude «Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. ».

t. », (Ephesians 6:10), courage «Watch, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. », (1 Corinthians 16:13), integrity (Titus 2:7;1 Timothy 3:7), and confidence (Ephesians 3:12;Titus 2:15). A truly biblical approach to manhood, then, is not harmful, nor should it be labeled as such.