Toxic masculinity is a term which was originally coined by women’s and gender studies researchers to discuss the pressure men experience performing masculinity to social standards, and the consequences of this behaviour. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Toxic masculinity is the way men are culturally trained and socially pressured to behave. Its three core tenants, toughness, anti-femininity, and power, range in expression from person to person, but all combine to create the sense of ‘manliness’,” writes Kevin Foss, of the Anxiety and Depression Association of America. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some researchers prefer the term “traditional masculinity”, because it has different connotations than “toxic”, which can prompt defensiveness and make it difficult to discuss the real issue of harmful masculinity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2000, the World Health Organization acknowledged that the discrepancy in life expectancy between men and women may correlate to the damaging way masculinity is defined in society, and the ways men have been conditioned to perform it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
G.G. says that over the course of his class project, he learned that performing masculinity is often about what not to do. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMasculinity does not have a specific definition for people. It\u2019s just a collection of social expectations made by men. It\u2019s mostly centralised on the don\u2019ts rather than the do\u2019s. So, guys usually know more about toxic masculinity and what not to do as a man,\u201d says G.G. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tate has previously claimed that mental health issues such as depression are an illusion, and an excuse for lazy or weak men. He has also stated that men should not cry, because it is a sign of weakness and unattractive to women. <\/p>\n\n\n\n