Men doing something negative is readily called toxic masculinity. Men doing something positive however can’t be non-toxic masculinity because women do something similar but different…
Is it really that hard for you to admit that masculinity can be associated with positive things?
All the virtues associated with manhood in the 1970s and 1980s turned into general adulting in the 1990s and aughts.
In 2026, what it is to be a man is asserted by social media personalities like Matt Walsh, Ben Shapiro, Joe Rogan, the Tate brothers. The conversation on masculinity is dominated by the manosphere on social media and far-right television.
Expressions of manhood are on full display when Josh Hokit disparages Michelle Obama, when Trump intervenes in the world cup to cancel a red card and lift the one game penalty on Folarin Balogun. Or when US Representative Max Miller doubles down on his innocence in a video making common DV gaslighting arguments in the face of credible abuse allegations, on the presumption that his MAGA base won’t care and will still vote for him.
Masculinity in 2026 is demonstrated when you discharge your strength in malice or cruelty or bad taste to show the world you are beyond the reach of consequences, or do not care what consequences occurr.
But sure. I’m AMAB and have been criticized for half a century for being inadequately masculine. I’ve been repeatedly bullied and disregarded because I’m a wuss or a wimp. But I’m still game. I’m still open to an argument:
Tell me of a positive human trait that is particular to men that is not also expected of women by our society?
I’m not saying good men don’t exist. To the contrary, there are plenty. But I am saying what makes them good is not a feature of their masculinity, rather it’s a feature of being a functional adult in a (rapidly deteriorating) liberal society.
Tell me of a positive human trait that is particular to men that is not also expected of women by our society?
Tell me of a positive human trait that is particular to women that is not also expected of men by our society.
Ultimately there are things that men tend to do that are positive and there are things that men tend to do that are negative. This post is an example of the former.
In other words, you’re over-complicating things because a handful of jackasses want to redefine what being a man is, and you declare that because they exist there cannot be anything (left) that is masculine. That makes no sense and is caving to their whims.
Don’t know why you’re getting downvoted, you’re right lol. My only sticking point is that your phrasing kind of implies masculinity being characterized by dominance is a more recent development. bell hooks had a whole book breaking this down in 2003, and there were mens rights movements (that develolved into the proto manosphere) in the 70s and 80s who noticed this and tried/failed to redefine masculinity. Early feminist works identified domination and “whatever a.woman isn’t” as defining features from the jump. Nothing you’re saying is new or controversial, and there’s decades of rigorous, scholarly work validating it
In the 1970s and 1980s, there were traits that were positive traits characterized as masculine. Only with time as the workforce got integrated, and as women got more personal autonomy (such as property rights), we noticed women, too, could man up and take responsibility. In fact they had to.
Through my thirties, my model was Captain Jerry Lawson in Wargames, ([here] on YouTube) an air force missileer who was run through a surprise missile drill, and refused to turn the key and launch a nuclear strike against the USSR. The capacity to hold vast power and not use it (or to use it judiciously and proportionately) was highly prized during the cold war.
See also, The West Wings01e03, A Proportional Response (also featuring John Spencer!). Bartlett is emotionally caught up when an attack by Syria kills someone he knows personally, and his cabinet has to reign him in.
See also To Kill A Mockingbird, specifically when Atticus Finch has to put down a rabid dog at range with a rifle.
Women are also capable of holding responsibility and not using it, so I still hold the capacity as a virtue, it’s just no longer a man thing.
And then in the Trump era, we’re seeing an awful lot of men who have immense power and clearly should not be trusted with it. Trump’s fire and fury speech regarding the conflict in North Korea was an early portent to the rest of us of his later decisions to misuse US military might.
Indeed, after Trump’s first term, we learned that he had called to use nuclear weapons more than once, and his military cabinet deflected his orders every time.
During his second term, I don’t know if those safeguards are still there, or if he’s still as eager to use the US nuclear arsenal.
If you don’t know a Kevin, you definitely know an Ashley. And Ashley knows everyone who has a grandma with a group of retired friends who are itching for something to do.
Non-toxic Masculinity
Absolutely
Except women also have those connections.
The price may be different, like a baby blanket for their neice.
Men doing something negative is readily called toxic masculinity. Men doing something positive however can’t be non-toxic masculinity because women do something similar but different…
Is it really that hard for you to admit that masculinity can be associated with positive things?
Some people just hate men and can barely contain that. They may not even know it themselves.
I don’t hate men, but masculinity is a millstone.
There’s a difference.
Elaborate, because your eagle-eye poetic view just seems like a rewording of misandry.
All the virtues associated with manhood in the 1970s and 1980s turned into general adulting in the 1990s and aughts.
In 2026, what it is to be a man is asserted by social media personalities like Matt Walsh, Ben Shapiro, Joe Rogan, the Tate brothers. The conversation on masculinity is dominated by the manosphere on social media and far-right television.
Expressions of manhood are on full display when Josh Hokit disparages Michelle Obama, when Trump intervenes in the world cup to cancel a red card and lift the one game penalty on Folarin Balogun. Or when US Representative Max Miller doubles down on his innocence in a video making common DV gaslighting arguments in the face of credible abuse allegations, on the presumption that his MAGA base won’t care and will still vote for him.
Masculinity in 2026 is demonstrated when you discharge your strength in malice or cruelty or bad taste to show the world you are beyond the reach of consequences, or do not care what consequences occurr.
But sure. I’m AMAB and have been criticized for half a century for being inadequately masculine. I’ve been repeatedly bullied and disregarded because I’m a wuss or a wimp. But I’m still game. I’m still open to an argument:
Tell me of a positive human trait that is particular to men that is not also expected of women by our society?
I’m not saying good men don’t exist. To the contrary, there are plenty. But I am saying what makes them good is not a feature of their masculinity, rather it’s a feature of being a functional adult in a (rapidly deteriorating) liberal society.
Tell me of a positive human trait that is particular to women that is not also expected of men by our society.
Ultimately there are things that men tend to do that are positive and there are things that men tend to do that are negative. This post is an example of the former.
In other words, you’re over-complicating things because a handful of jackasses want to redefine what being a man is, and you declare that because they exist there cannot be anything (left) that is masculine. That makes no sense and is caving to their whims.
Don’t know why you’re getting downvoted, you’re right lol. My only sticking point is that your phrasing kind of implies masculinity being characterized by dominance is a more recent development. bell hooks had a whole book breaking this down in 2003, and there were mens rights movements (that develolved into the proto manosphere) in the 70s and 80s who noticed this and tried/failed to redefine masculinity. Early feminist works identified domination and “whatever a.woman isn’t” as defining features from the jump. Nothing you’re saying is new or controversial, and there’s decades of rigorous, scholarly work validating it
In the 1970s and 1980s, there were traits that were positive traits characterized as masculine. Only with time as the workforce got integrated, and as women got more personal autonomy (such as property rights), we noticed women, too, could man up and take responsibility. In fact they had to.
Through my thirties, my model was Captain Jerry Lawson in Wargames, ([here] on YouTube) an air force missileer who was run through a surprise missile drill, and refused to turn the key and launch a nuclear strike against the USSR. The capacity to hold vast power and not use it (or to use it judiciously and proportionately) was highly prized during the cold war.
See also, The West Wing s01e03, A Proportional Response (also featuring John Spencer!). Bartlett is emotionally caught up when an attack by Syria kills someone he knows personally, and his cabinet has to reign him in.
See also To Kill A Mockingbird, specifically when Atticus Finch has to put down a rabid dog at range with a rifle.
Women are also capable of holding responsibility and not using it, so I still hold the capacity as a virtue, it’s just no longer a man thing.
And then in the Trump era, we’re seeing an awful lot of men who have immense power and clearly should not be trusted with it. Trump’s fire and fury speech regarding the conflict in North Korea was an early portent to the rest of us of his later decisions to misuse US military might.
Indeed, after Trump’s first term, we learned that he had called to use nuclear weapons more than once, and his military cabinet deflected his orders every time.
During his second term, I don’t know if those safeguards are still there, or if he’s still as eager to use the US nuclear arsenal.
If you don’t know a Kevin, you definitely know an Ashley. And Ashley knows everyone who has a grandma with a group of retired friends who are itching for something to do.
Men can also do feminine things. What’s your point?