What is toxic masculinity and why can it be dangerous?
Toxic masculinity has recently been in the news after a French advert stated that it can fuel dangerous driving.
The French road safety awareness campaign is aiming to tackle the role of men’s behaviour behind the wheel, finding that toxic masculinity may be just as dangerous when driving as alcohol, speed, fatigue and drugs.
The campaign’s video — which was released on Wednesday — shows men at the births of their sons. The Guardian reports that it seeks to portray them as thoughtful and sensitive in contrast with the revved-up virility of macho stereotypes.
“Speed, alcohol, drugs, fatigue … what if we need to add masculinity?’ asks the French road safety body.
So what is toxic masculinity? Here’s all you need to know.
What is toxic masculinity?
Toxic masculinity is a term derived from the notion of what some deem as “manliness”, further perpetuating the stigma related to domination and aggression.
It has been defined as a set of male behaviours, which could be associated with harm to society and men themselves.
It can also often put unwanted pressure on boys and men to act in a way that can deem them as being seen as powerful and tough but also harmful.
Other definitions of toxic masculinity often in:
Suppressing emotions or masking distress
Ensuring a hardness appearance
Violence as an indicator of power.
Why is toxic masculinity a problem?
For men and boys, the term can be harmful as it further shapes sexist behaviours, including violence and abuse.
A study co-authored by a Michigan State University sociologist found that men who endorse toxic masculinity often become socially isolated as they get older. This affects their overall happiness, health and well-being.
For women, the term can be particularly harmful as it creates the illusion that they are the weaker sex among privileged men and puts them in danger of violence and abuse.
Is toxic masculinity linked to misogyny?
Toxic masculinity includes aspects of dominant masculinity that are socially destructive and include misogyny.
Misogyny is defined as engrained prejudice against women, including a strong dislike or contempt towards the opposite sex.
Since 2013, feminists began attributing misogyny, homophobia, and men’s violence to toxic masculinity.
What are some examples of toxic masculinity?
Green Hill Recovery, a US based organisation helping young adults to recover from substance use and other co-occurring mental health disorders, says types of toxic masculinity can include:
Unconditional physical toughness
Physical aggression, fear of emotions
Discrimination against people that aren’t heterosexual
Hyper-independence
Sexual aggression or violence
Anti-feminist behaviour.
In France, about 78 per cent of road deaths in 2022 were men. However, those behind its latest road safety campaign insisted it was not about stigmatising men in general.
“It is about prompting people to examine their behaviour,” Florence Guillaume, the interministerial delegate for road safety in France, said.
She added that it does not mean “all men are bad drivers”, but stresses the importance of how society needs to have a deeper look at risky behaviours such as toxic masculinity and how this may influence a number of dangerous factors including driving.
