Blog 2: The Effects of Masculinity on Others

Examining the harmful impact of toxic masculinity on society through a humanities lens has allowed me to see how degrading and harmful the consequences of it are. Toxic masculinity, characterized by behaviours such as violence, dominance, and misogyny, poses significant challenges to individuals and society. This essay shows that the effects of toxic masculinity not only harm men themselves but also perpetuate inequality and violence against marginalized groups. Through real-life examples and scholarly blogs, I will demonstrate the urgent need to challenge and end toxic masculinity to have healthier and more equitable communities.

Will James presented \Toxic masculinity as 5 things men do. Being violent,

projecting dominance, being sexually aggressive towards women and not displaying emotion. These characteristics are all achievable by any man on this planet, correct? So, if every man would just check these 4 boxes off, they would be the “greatest” man in our society? Of course not. The competitive aspect this brings along makes men degrade others just to be at the top. “We’ve managed to disempower the overwhelming majority of American men by other means such as discriminating based on race, class, ethnicity, age or sexual preference.” When reading Michael Kimmel’s “Masculinity as Homophobia” he displays the degrading nature of toxic masculinity and how psychologically men feel stronger and better about themselves after hurting someone else. An amazing real example of this comes from the Charlottesville documentary where the viewer is shown men screaming “fuck you faggots” to homosexuals, talking about “ethnic cleansing” in America and chanting “Jews will not replace us”. This hatred is exactly what Michael Kimmel talks about. Classes have emerged over decades of how men have beaten down each cultural, and sexual class for them to feel more powerful. 

            Misogyny has also been another aspect with which men fuel their toxic egos. By degrading women, they pick on their most valuable characteristics: appearance, sexual purity, sweetness and submissiveness. This rage usually comes from a deeply negative experience with women. Whether it is betrayal, cheating or being rejected. Men do not want to display emotional damage and instead of achieving mental peace by letting this unfortunate event sink in they build negative thoughts attached to women. The most extreme examples of this are presented in the video “Inside Incel”. Firstly, Alex Manassian, whom we see kill 8 women in Toronto after being motivated by the misogynistic incel leader. Alex was a man with no criminal record, but also nobody around him. He was picked on a lot in middle school and was always rejected by girls. His loneliness and angriness towards women and society made him explode and kill.  The leader of the incel is the same sad story, Elliot Rodger, who has never experienced happiness, and says his problem is girls. “I will slaughter every single spoiled, stuck-up blond slut. You will finally see that I am in truth the superior one” This degradation towards women is fed by the fear of humiliation. After their negative experiences, they have just hidden from society and isolated until exploding and killing people. This way of coping is unhealthy and has caused huge issues, especially among incel group members. Michael Kimmel discusses this issue as well in his article saying how “Exclusion and escape have been the dominant methods American men have used to keep their fears of humiliation at bay”. This issue arises from how men aren’t supposed to display emotion and keep it all inside. However, some people are unable to do this and must seek help.

In conclusion, toxic masculinity causes a cycle of harm and oppression that affects both men and women. The dehumanizing attitudes towards certain groups, fuelled by the desire for power and dominance, only serve to promote inequality and division within society. To break free from the cycle of toxic masculinity, we must encourage people and communities to stand up against and break down the unfair systems that support these harmful beliefs. It is important to eliminate systematic segregation by separating people into different groups with different statuses. Everyone is equal and putting down people doesn’t make you better. Let us unite and challenge toxic masculinity and dismantle the systems that uphold it, striving towards a society where equality, respect, and compassion prevail for all genders.