You get some men who seem to think a mention of toxic masculinity is an attack on men. It's not. It's largely identified as something which is detrimental to men.
Things like the idea that men shouldn't convey, or even feel, certain emotions. That they should be strong, financial providers, good at fighting, having lots of sex, etc. Very few men are actually capable in the all the areas that society tells them they need to be. It leads to poor mental health and a lack of willingness to talk about their issues. That is toxic masculinity.
It's worth noting that toxic masculinity isn't something that comes exclusively from men. It's produced by society at large and women are just as guilty of perpetuating it as men are.
Yep. This is put well. All of the "I prefer men / I'm not like other girls" and internalized misogyny from women also stems from and remains in working order care of toxic masculinity
what
Toxic masculinity puts value on being like a man and rejecting feminine things, for men and women (girl hate). That girl hate extends to women feeling like they can't even enjoy the things they like without being looked down on, and it leads to many women rejecting that part of themselves for an audience. Which is why you encounter so many people claiming to not be like other girls because to be feminine is undesirable
So what are they defining as feminine traits then? Not in terms of looks obviously, but what behaviors?
Think of any guy teased for liking girl things. Men who like fashion, or theater, or cooking, or dancing, or sewing. Think of dress codes that don't allow men to have long hair when women could. Think of men getting shit for carrying a bag because "it's a purse" (an inherently hateable feminine thing unbecoming of real men). Men getting shit for wearing a kilt (oh it's like a dress). Men getting shit for painting their nails or wearing makeup. There is nothing wrong with any man or woman engaging in those hobbies or behaviors.
Toxic masculinity is why people make it an issue ---