Having long been a topic of conversation – perhaps even more so in recent years as society has begun to re-examine the traditional views and expectations of gender roles and identity – masculinity, in its essence, refers to the characteristics, behaviors, and traits that are culturally associated with men. From virility and vigor to ruggedness and robustness, it’s the antithesis of femininity.

“Healthy” masculinity, more specifically, refers to the more positive and desirable traits, such as responsibility, empathy, and emotional intelligence. And those who begin to embrace healthy masculinity will likely become more confident, successful, and influential in their personal and professional lives, while concurrently dismantling the unhealthy beliefs surrounding masculinity.

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There are several ways in which masculinity can be healthy and positive. Here are five of the best:

1. Develops Emotional Intelligence: It encourages you to embrace your emotions, rather than suppress them, including developing emotional intelligence and learning to communicate effectively. By being in touch with your emotions and healthily expressing them, you can build stronger and more meaningful relationships with others.
2. Promotes Responsibility: It encourages you to take responsibility for your actions and behaviors. This means being accountable for your mistakes and making an effort to improve yourself. By being responsible, you can demonstrate leadership and earn the respect of others.
3. Fosters Empathy: It promotes empathy and compassion towards others, which can lead to stronger and more fulfilling relationships. By being able to understand and relate to others, you can build more meaningful connections and feel a greater sense of community.
4. Encourages Physical Health: It encourages you to take care of your physical health through regular exercise, proper nutrition, and getting enough rest. By prioritizing your physical health, you can feel better both physically and mentally, which can improve your overall well-being.
5. Embraces Vulnerability: It encourages you to embrace vulnerability and be open to seeking help when needed. This means being comfortable with asking for support and expressing needs. By being vulnerable, you also demonstrate courage and strength.

In general, then, healthy masculinity is an important concept that can lead to positive outcomes for men, women, and society as a whole. By promoting healthy masculinity, we can help to break down harmful stereotypes and create a more positive and inclusive culture.

As a social construct that varies across cultures, however, it’s worth pointing out that masculinity in itself is fluid, and what may be considered masculine in one culture may not be viewed as such in another. Add to that the fact the meaning of masculinity has changed over time. But you still have polarizing public personalities that cling to the archaic understanding of what it means to be masculine, and espouse those old-fashioned notions. Traditionally, the concept of masculinity has often been associated with toxic traits, such as aggression, dominance, and emotional suppression, for example.

And while some of these famous men are charming narcissists who manage to thinly veil their toxic traits with superficialness – be they fictional like American Psycho’s Patrick Bateman, or real-life influencers like Andrew Tate – they drag masculinity into the realm of toxicity, which concerns itself with harmful behaviors and attitudes associated with traditional expectations. 

Here are three signs of toxic masculinity to look out for:

1. Emphasis on dominance and control: Toxic masculinity often prioritizes the need for dominance and control over others, particularly women. This can manifest in aggressive or violent behaviors, as well as a lack of respect for others' boundaries and autonomy.
2. Suppression of emotions: Toxic masculinity often places a high value on emotional stoicism and the suppression of emotions. Those who exhibit toxic masculinity may feel pressure to hide or deny their feelings, which can lead to emotional repression and mental health issues.
3. Conformity to gender stereotypes: Toxic masculinity often reinforces rigid gender stereotypes, such as the idea that men should be tough, aggressive, and unemotional. This can lead to pressure to conform to these stereotypes, even if it goes against a person’s authentic self-expression and personality.
   

It's important to note that toxic masculinity is harmful not just to women, but to men as well. Men who conform to toxic masculinity may experience negative mental health outcomes, such as depression and anxiety, as well as difficulties forming and maintaining positive relationships.

You can step away from toxic friendships, but sometimes it’s harder to get yourself out of a toxic relation- or situation-ship. But once you know the signs, it might be easier to avoid falling into the toxic trap in the first place. Be sure to reconfirm your self-worth with morning affirmations, and know that you deserve better.  

All of the content on our website is thoroughly researched to ensure that the information shared is evidence-based. For more information, please visit the academic journals and other resources that influenced this article:
Cultivating Positive Masculinity is Mental Health Promotion for Boys and Men; Masculinity, Social Connectedness, and Mental Health: Men’s Diverse Patterns of Practice; Impact of Masculinity on Men’s Health; What Fragile Masculinity Looks Like at Work; What is Toxic Masculinity and Why Does it Matter; Friend, Foe, or Frenemy? How to Recognize a Toxic Friendship; A Relational-Cultural Framework for Promoting Healthy Masculinities