In the last few years the term ‘Toxic Masculinity’ has been heard a lot more, on TV, the radio, or through different media forms. So, what does it entail? Where did it originate from? And what are the problems associated with it?
This term looks at some of the ‘toxic’ traits within masculinity such as aggressive, defensive and misogynistic behaviours. Its meaning has changed over the years, however it has been defined by researchers as ‘a set of behaviours that include violence to show power; maintaining a tough appearance, as well as hiding emotions of distress or sadness. In short, toxic masculinity is what is formed when children are told to repress emotion. Although not all men carry these traits, these are some factors that a man was expected to live up to in older generations, and what has been passed down to younger ones.
Unsurprisingly, the controversial journalist Piers Morgan has expressed his opinion on the matter on numerous occasions, whether that was through his online platforms or on live TV. When talking about an article alongside Susanna Reid on This Morning, he made his opinions clear showing off some of the characteristics of toxic masculinity: a man has to be a man, continuing to then say that the article was implying that instead of encouraging his children to try harder in their sport, they need to have a good cry, every day.
Likewise, at the start of 2019 the razor company Gillette released their advert on addressing Toxic masculinity, with clips showing how men should really be: kind, fair, and human. Piers Morgan, along with many other viewers, had his opinion on the advert, and on the first day it had 3 million views, with 54,000 likes and 290,000 dislikes. As you would imagine there were a lot of negative comments, including one saying that it ‘is left wing propaganda’. Piers Morgan posted on Twitter that he might have to use another company who are ‘less eager to fuel the current pathetic global assault on masculinity’.
Throughout my childhood I have never been forced into gender stereotypes: that being from when I was a toddler; pushing prams and playing with dolls was the norm for me. I can remember, whilst in primary school, I was dressing up in whatever I could find in the wardrobe. Moving into secondary school I started to find fitting in with boys a lot harder than girls. Ok, I played the odd bit of football when I had the chance, but I wasn’t ever ‘into it’, nor was I into rugby or cars, which are what a lot of the boys in my year were into at the time. As the years went on I did question my sexuality, like everyone does at that age and it was definitely a confusing time, however I found that clothes and music were two things that I liked and helped me in my day-to-day life. My parents have always said that I have never followed the crowd, meaning that I didn’t want to just fit in and wear what everyone else was wearing. Before you start thinking; ‘that is because you pushed prams and played with dolls’, it isn’t, because I also played with Lego and had nerf guns and all of that capper.
In the last four years, my appearance and confidence have been influenced and formed heavily through two music artists who most people would know.
Harry Styles, the former band member of One Direction and now solo artist, has already appeared on the front cover of Rolling Stone, Vanity Fair and GQ Magazine, and his most recent on Beauty Papers is his most influential shoot yet.
The first photo entails Styles sat on a chair bare chested with his tattoos on display, in stockings and loafers. Furthermore, the Fine Line artist does not hold back in the second picture either. He poses in a suit with make-up on, representing the elation of new identities and personas. This goes against norms, and the magazine stated that it was influenced by the lack of individuality in the – especially male - world today.
Ever since The 1975 released their first record back in 2013, frontman Matty Healy has always stood out from everyone else. Matty has made it apparent that he is not scared to express himself. His style has never been of one that would be classed as masculine, as he has worn Platformed shoes, make up, skirts, as well as being involved in many different photoshoots for a range of magazines: GQ, Noisey, Attitude; he is very open about his masculinity and self-expression. In the band’s latest album, Healy references the expected lack of emotion that men should show on their exterior. “Frail state of mind”, talks about how he has felt like a burden to others as well as going onto saying, “oh boy don’t cry, I’m sorry but I, I always get this way sometimes”. Within this lyric he’s saying that the general expectation is for a boy to not cry, however he does do it anyway. Be whoever you want to be! He has mentioned in interviews, how he got picked on for having longer hair and that just shows that no matter who you are, you can be whoever you want to be, no matter what others say.
The attitudes towards masculinity that these two men share, are inspiring to me and have influenced me to wear make-up and outfits which are out of most “guys” comfort zone. I am not a confident man, however make-up has really helped.
Looking back on my childhood and teenage years I would say that of course I tried to go to the gym and get that ‘six pack perfect body’, because that is what is on the front of every magazine, and ‘that’s what a man should look like’. However now I’m 20 and a lot more aware of media, and gender norms, and have a better understanding of how the world works; in my opinion, who gives a sh*t how you grow up? - as long as you’re happy.