TOXIC MASCULINITY IS KILLING MEN

The day in the life of so many men can be miserable.

Some men work ten hours on a building site and go home with feelings of anger and confusion. Most men don’t want to talk about how they feel. They want to sink a cold lager at the local, take the piss out of their mates, and put a bet on the football.

They don’t want to be told to ‘speak up’. They have enough issues with getting by and putting food on their table without opening wounds of the past.

Men’s lives are somewhat governed by an invisible rulebook. An implicit set of rules that men ascribe to without even speaking out loud about it.

There is a certain unspoken pressure for men to perform, to be self-sufficient and be a kingpin in their family.

Here are a few statements that men are familiar with:

• “Stop feeling sorry for yourself, stop playing the victim”.
• “Deal with it. There are plenty of people who have it worse than you, stop moaning”.
• “You’re supposed to be the provider, the rock in your family and friendship group, you don’t want to burden people with your negative emotions and imagined problems”
• “You shouldn’t give money to another man to help solve your problems”.

I’m not writing this with article from an ideological position. I know that plenty of men see the denunciation of the ‘masculine man’ as a ploy by ‘feminists’ or ‘beta males’, who are too weak to exercise aggression and dominance.

But what this article is hoping to delineate is that it is counter-intuitive for any man to prescribe to toxic masculine traits. Psychologically speaking, repressing negative thoughts and avoiding trauma is a one-way streak to severe depression and anxiety.

Some of those who identify as an ‘alpha male’ take pride in the belief that nothing affects them and that feelings are for ‘pussies’.

This line of thought is what feeds men’s corrosive inability to share their struggle with other people. In my opinion, this is why men are three times more likely to kill themselves than women, because they see death as the only permissible escape from their demons.

I think it’s important to celebrate healthy aspects of masculinity such as leadership, assertiveness, and striving towards a better life. But I think it’s crucial that as a society we shave off the toxic aspects. The casual violence, anger, spitting, bullying culture, sexism, homophobia, and crucially the idea that men should keep their feelings to themselves because they should be self-sufficient.

Despite toxic masculinity remaining a big problem in our society, the future does look bright. I’ve noticed even since lockdown that more and more men are coming out of the woodwork and talking openly about their mental health in a way that has never been discussed.

I recently watched a podcast episode from the Diary of a CEO with Jimmy Carr. Jimmy is someone who on the surface looks as confident as any human could be, but he opened up about how he has struggled with panic attacks and depression in the past. Tyson Fury, the heavyweight champion of the world, is someone that has highlighted that being tough and struggling with your mental health are things that are not exclusive to each other.

The well-known ex-SAS soldier Jason Fox came on the Mantality podcast and discussed how he’s witnessed first-hand the increase in men talking casually abouttheir mental health. He said on the podcast “You don’t have to go for walks in the woods with your mates holding hands but you can say mate I’m having a mare”. For me this is the way forward for lads, blokes and fellas who are reluctant to talk about their mental health. Men can still be masculine. In fact, I would say Masculinity is crucial for the functioning of our society. But it is exciting that men opening up about their mental health is becoming more normal. This new normal will save lives.

The reason I believe men do not let go of toxic masculine traits is because they believe it is in their interest to adopt these traits. Men think the more emotionless they act, the more women they will attract. Men think that the more aggressive they act, the more they will garner the respect of other men. I think these myths need to be busted, because for as long as they exist unchallenged, boys will adopt them. If these traits give men more power, then well it makes sense to be violent and bully people? These myths need to be broken with compelling logic if they want to supersede toxic attitudes in our society.

Why do men feel the need to hold on to toxic masculinity?

• Men think toxic masculine traits will give them the best chance in life-Thousands of years ago men were expected to fight and hunt in order to survive. Traits such as aggression, ruthlessness and physical strength were desirable for the tribe and the individual’s survival. However, these masculine traits have become obsolete in our modern society. The same traits that ensured an individual’s survival are holding back men becoming the best version of themselves today.
• The belief that being vulnerable is a weakness- Some people view men who struggle with mental health problems as mentally weak. People do not want to tell people that they struggle in case they get assigned to the category of a ‘weak-minded’ people. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. Mental Health problems can be caused by factors outside a man’s control such as genetics, childhood trauma and inescapable environmental factors. Toxic masculinity ascribes to the belief that keeping it to yourself is real strength. However, the truth is that those who have the courage to open up about their struggles and show their vulnerability are the people who have the greatest mental strength.
• Fitting in with the herd-Humans crave social belonging. Our brains are wired to need human contact because being part of a tribe was essential for our survival in primordial times. We do not want to open to people in case we are mocked or judged. That is why Cyril Connolly said “There are many who dare not kill themselves for fear of what the neighbours will say”.
• Escapism-Opening up about your emotions takes a lot of courage and when men have had a tough week at the office the last thing they want to do is share their feelings with their mates at the pub. It is much more expedient and gratifying to sink ten pints and moan about the state of the economy.

The point of this article is to convey that dropping some of these toxic masculine traits is in the interest of men. I believe that large portions of the male population hold onto toxic traits under the premise that these traits will help them get where they want to be, whether that’s attracting women or becoming respected in the gym.

Every man is different. But what is consistent among men is the desire to be successful and achieve greater things.

I believe that prescribing to toxic masculine traits stifle men from becoming the best versions of themselves. You can’t process negative emotions if you just bottle them and pretend, they do not exist.

Toxic masculinity is stopping men becoming the best versions of themselves.