The term “toxic masculinity” was first coined by psychologist Shepherd Bliss in the 1980s within his “mythopoetic” manhood movement. Bliss, coming from a military family with a dominant father, used this term to describe behaviors that degrade women, children, and other men—a way to identify the abusive aspects of the male psyche. Toxic masculinity refers to a particular poison that runs through some men, posing a significant threat to women, children, and vulnerable individuals. Although it only gained popularity recently, toxic masculinity became a necessary concept to help society understand and address the actions of individuals like Harvey Weinstein.
However, like most terms that quickly rise to prominence, toxic masculinity eventually lost traction and fell out of favor. In recent years, The New York Times has recognized attempts to combat toxic masculinity in various forms of media, such as the television series Ted Lasso, a production of the 19th-century opera Der Freischütz, and a hastily created collage. Despite this, the term has been notably absent in the Times’ coverage of severe crimes like the Gilgo Beach murders, cases of abduction and rape, and instances involving the transportation of minors across state lines for criminal and sexual purposes.
This absence raises the question of why these cases don’t fall under the category of toxic masculinity. Perhaps it is because murder, rape, and kidnapping are gravely serious offenses, while “toxic masculinity” has become trivialized. Nevertheless, I choose to use this term in this essay because it holds educational value. If masculinity can be characterized as toxic, then there must exist an opposite state that can be described by a different adjective. What is it?
The alternative to toxic masculinity is heroic masculinity, a concept present all around us, although often taken for granted or even scorned until the need for it arises. We depend on heroic masculinity for our safety, just as others do. Toxic masculinity and heroic masculinity have nothing to do with the current discourse on gender fluidity or gender essentialism. Instead, they focus solely on a concrete reality that extends beyond theoretical debates: men (as a group and to a significant extent) possess greater physical strength and capabilities than women. This fact cannot be disputed, and it carries with it a moral question that each man must confront: will he use his strength to dominate the weak or protect them?
Heroic masculinity embodies the understanding that some individuals must climb the metaphorical endless staircases in life’s towers. On 9/11, 343 New York City firefighters sacrificed themselves at Ground Zero, fully aware that they might not survive. They didn’t do it due to a contractual obligation or company policy—they did it because they wanted it to be known that heroes were present that day, standing with the desperate people trapped in those buildings, never abandoning them. Women, too, responded to the catastrophe, with two police officers and an EMT—Kathy Mazza, Moira Smith, and Yamel Merino—losing their lives in the line of duty.
A year ago, during a drag show in Colorado Springs, a man opened fire with an AR-15-style rifle. Richard Fierro, a combat veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, was present at the club with his wife, daughter, and friends. When the shots rang out, Fierro ran toward the danger, tackled the shooter, seized his second weapon—a pistol—and repeatedly struck him, declaring his intent to kill. Fierro told The New York Times, “I don’t know exactly what I did. I just went into combat mode.” He simply acted because his family’s safety was at stake.
These examples represent extreme instances of heroic masculinity. However, heroism is frequently less dramatic, witnessed when a high school student stands up for a girl being harassed or when a man intervenes in a situation where a woman is being screamed at or worse. Women also demonstrate heroism, but harassers often disregard their pleas. It’s worth noting that toxic and heroic masculinity can coexist within the same individual. Many men who may have negative traits rise to the occasion and prevent harm, even for a brief moment, connecting with greatness.
It’s crucial to address some questions that arise. Are women capable of heroic acts? Certainly, and limited examples cannot fully capture their valor. Heather Penney, one of the fighter pilots on 9/11, was prepared to sacrifice her life to intercept the fourth hijacked plane. Leigh Ann Hester, the first woman to receive the Silver Star for combat valor, displayed swift action during a firefight in Iraq in 2005.
However, the heroism that characterizes most women’s lives lies in their continuous efforts to protect themselves and their children from male threats and violence. Despite this perpetual vulnerability, women continue to navigate the world, entrusting themselves to men they hardly know and raising children beside them, relying solely on trust. Countless women have risked everything, including their lives, in acts of self-defense. The willingness of many women to shield their children from grave threats exemplifies their courage and sacrifice.
It is undeniable, through personal experiences or fictional narratives, that there is something inherently attractive about a man who possesses both strength and the determination to protect, despite also having the capacity to cause harm. This delicate balance of masculinity is what women frequently encounter. No matter how much progress women have made, male power retains a primal appeal for many. It’s undeniable.
Another issue that arises is the presence of corruption and malevolence within the police force, predominantly composed of men. Some jobs, particularly those involving power and danger, attract both types of men. Bad cops exemplify the malevolence that can arise when masculinity is employed against the innocent. On the other hand, good cops serve as a reminder that in moments of violence, laws and norms alone cannot keep us safe. When faced with male violence, our best chance of protection lies in the presence of a good police officer.
This topic has been discussed before, and detractors often interrupt to share news stories about monstrous actions committed by men.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
