Blog 2: Toxic Masculinity: Poisoning our Society

Various media depictions and research demonstrate how toxic masculinity, conventional ideas of manhood, and societal violence are interconnected problems that have gained popularity in public debate in recent years. By analyzing Michael Kimmel’s “Masculinity as Homophobia,” Will James’s toxic masculinity, the Vice News documentary “Charlottesville: Race and Terror,” and the insights from CBC’s “Inside Incel,” we can better understand the intricate relationship that exists between gender, power, and violence in our society. The objective of this blog is to combine these distinct points of view to provide an in-depth understanding of how toxic masculinity feeds systemic problems homophobia and violence, ultimately producing a society that is less inclusive and equitable. 

In his article “Masculinity as Homophobia,” Michael Kimmel delves into the intricate dynamics between traditional masculinity and cultural violence. One of the central ideas he explores is the association between manhood and power, with violence often serving as a symbolic marker of masculinity. Kimmel encapsulates this concept with the statement, “Manhood is equated with power.” (Kimmel 2), where power becomes synonymous with being a man. This association between masculinity and power creates a culture that values dominance and control, often at the expense of women and marginalized groups. By equating manhood with power, societal expectations place an immense amount of pressure on men to conform to aggressive and dominant behaviours to prove their masculinity. Kimmel’s claim is supported by the events seen in the Vice News video “Charlottesville: Race and Terror,” in which white nationalists defend their claimed rights and exert authority by justifying violence during demonstrations. Chris Cantwell’s demonstration of his many guns and explanation in response to the hit-and-run incident reinforces Kimmel’s notion about violence being used to feel powerful. He wants all the world to know that if you aren’t a straight, white, Christian, masculine man, you are as one of the followers put it “Vermin” and you will be hunted because you “don’t belong” in America. Cantwell does this to make his “enemies” afraid for their lives and feel as if they are inferior to the White Nationalists. This could be explained by Kimmel’s statement, “Men are in power as a group and the psychological fact that they do not feel powerful as individuals. They are the feelings of men who were raised to believe themselves entitled to feel that power, but do not feel it.” (Kimmel 2) In reality, Cantwell and his followers are the ones who feel powerless, so they justify the use of violence, as seen in the hit-and-run, to prove that they are the more dominant, masculine beings who deserve to be in total control. These men cannot take any responsibility for their own “shortcomings” and blame the people who finally regained their power after centuries of oppression. This overwhelming feeling of entitlement creates a toxic and divisive society that feeds off young, misguided men who feel entitled to power and lash out when they feel as if they don’t have the power, they feel they should have. 

As mentioned in Will James’ presentation, Andrew Tate’s embrace of the Manosphere, promotion of male supremacy and violence towards women can be connected to Michael Kimmel’s “Masculinity as Homophobia” through the lens of how traditional masculinity perpetuates harmful gender norms and behaviours. Kimmel argues that hyper-masculine qualities like violence, dominance, and a sense of entitlement are often adopted by men who embrace traditional masculinity because they fear being seen as feminine or homosexual. The fear of not living up to traditional gender norms may come out as actions that support toxic masculinity, such as violence against women. This way of thinking is supported by Andrew Tate’s definition of masculinity, which is limited and stubborn and places more value on dominance and power than on empathy and respect. Tate contributes to toxic masculinity by reinforcing negative gender role expectations and pushing men to use violence to establish their authority. Kimmel notes that all these variables are part of societal demands. Andrew Tate’s emphasis on the inferiority of women fuels the incel culture, with its focus on sexual shortcomings and hatred towards women. The ideas in “Inside Incel” directly relate to Michael Kimmel’s resonating statement: “Insecurity about masculinity breeds homophobia: the fear that other men will unmask us, emasculate us, reveal to us and the world that we do not measure up, that we are not real men.” In the context of the incel community, who are influenced by individuals like Tate, fixate on perceived inadequacies in masculinity and direct their frustrations toward women, leading to a cycle of misogyny and violence.  Many incels harbour insecurities about their masculinity, often due to perceived inadequacies in areas such as physical appearance, social status, or sexual experience. This fear of not being seen as a “real man” by society or other men can manifest as hostility towards anything perceived as feminine or non-conforming. Individuals within the incel community become fixated on their perceived failures to meet societal expectations of masculinity like being sexually successful or dominant. This fuels feelings of inadequacy and resentment towards women, whom they see as the gatekeepers of male validation and acceptance. Because these young men are unable to achieve the idealized version of masculinity as promoted by the likes of Andrew Tate, incels redirect their frustrations and anger toward women, blaming them for rejecting them romantically or sexually. This can lead to the objectification of women, feelings of entitlement, and ultimately, a cycle of misogyny and violence as highlighted in the documentary through the likes of Rodger or Minassian.

Although toxic masculinity still has an overwhelming grasp, there are ways to confront and change toxic masculinity into positive forms. Kimmel provides a road map for tearing down harmful gender norms and behaviours with his focus on promoting empathy, respect, and inclusivity. One way people may contribute to the creation of a more welcoming and equitable society is by promoting open discussions about gender and masculinity. Efforts that fight toxic masculinity, like those featured in “Inside Incel,” also provide promise for resolving systemic problems like homophobia and misogyny where the perspective of a young man was completely transformed by just listening and being given the correct information. Education, the promotion of inclusiveness and the redefinition of masculinity as proposed by Kimmel is the key to creating a just and more positive society.