What is Toxic Masculinity and How it Impacts Mental Health – Palm Beach Counseling And Behavioral Health

Toxic masculinity is a term that’s become more prominent in recent years, but its meaning and implications are still widely misunderstood. It refers to harmful cultural norms that dictate how men are “supposed” to behave, often forcing them into rigid roles that can be damaging to both their mental and physical health. But toxic masculinity doesn’t just affect men. Its ripple effects extend to women and society as a whole.

In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into what toxic masculinity is, its origins, how it impacts mental health, and what we can do to break the cycle.

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What actually is ‘toxic masculinity’?

Toxic masculinity is a term used to describe the negative aspects of exaggerated masculine traits, which boys and men may feel a pressure to conform to because of cultural or societal expectations. For example, this might be the idea that men have to be providers, or shouldn’t show weakness. These traits are called ‘toxic’ because they can have a negative impact on boys and men themselves, as well as society in general.

What societal expectations do boys and men face?

We may not always realise it, but there are lots of expectations about the way boys should behave. For example, there are unwritten rules about what clothes we should wear and how we should present ourselves, and if we don’t adhere to these rules, then our “man status” is questioned. But this is very wrong! How we act shouldn’t define how much of a man we are.

Another big one is how we feel and express emotions. There’s often an expectation that boys and men should be self-reliant and, essentially, emotionless. We’ve all been told to “man up” at some point, maybe we’ve even said it ourselves, and at first it seems like a harmless phrase. But not many people (including myself for a long time) realise the gradual damage this can cause. The words “man up” in context are used to suggest that showing emotions makes you less of a man. But in truth, there is no correlation between gender identity and emotions. We all have emotions, and expressing them isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength.

So why is it a problem for men not to express emotions?

The way I think of it is as one massive cycle. It’s no secret that men experience emotions on the same level that other genders do. But because of this idea that it’s not socially acceptable for men to cry or show vulnerability, it can come across like men just don’t experience sadness. Although this obviously isn’t true, if you never see other men cry or show vulnerability, it can make you feel like an anomaly if you do feel sadness.

But if you don’t acknowledge or express these feelings, they can and do become bottled up, and this is when it becomes the biggest issue. Think of it like a balloon, where the air inflating it represents these unexpressed feelings – there’s only so much it can take before bursting. Which is the same for us. When we just can’t take anymore, very often it comes out in anger or aggression – which is exactly the fuel that the male stereotype needs to continue! Do you see the cycle?

That’s why little things like telling someone to ‘man up’ may seem harmless, but over time it can lead us to struggle with our mental health.

Effects of Toxic Masculinity

When men actively avoid vulnerability, act on homophobic beliefs, ignore personal traumas, or exhibit prejudice behaviors against women, this contributes to many larger societal problems. Effects of toxic masculinity:

Domestic abuse
Gender-based violence
Gun violence
Homophobia
Misogyny
Rape culture
Sexual assault

Violence and Aggression

“Masculinity becomes fragile through its rigidity. When it cannot afford to hold the panoply of gender expressions, sexual cultural orientations, or feminine strength intrinsic to any pluralistic society, then it must lash out, or risk crumbling under the weight of its own culturally-constituted expectations,” says East.

“Whatever the cause, the response is [almost] always a form of violence…Sometimes this violence is outwardly expressed through physical dominance or aggression. Other times it is inwardly expressed, through depression, addiction, or suicide,” East writes.

Effects on men

In the study mentioned earlier, researchers noted a clear connection between multidimensional masculine norms and adverse mental health outcomes such as anxiety, depression, and hostility.

Effects on society

Women and other cisgender persons can find themselves on the receiving end of toxic masculinity and aggression. For those who ascribe to toxic masculine traits, there is also an othering of those who don’t, leading to rejection and exclusion for both female- and male-identifying individuals if they don’t conform to expectations.

The Impact on Men’s Mental Health

Toxic masculinity has devastating effects on men’s mental health. The pressure to conform to unrealistic standards often leaves men feeling isolated, anxious, and depressed.

Emotional Suppression and Its Consequences

Suppressing emotions can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and anger. Men may struggle to form meaningful relationships or communicate their feelings, which exacerbates these problems.

The Pressure to Conform to Unrealistic Expectations

Constantly striving to meet societal expectations of masculinity can be exhausting. Men may feel like failures if they don’t achieve a certain level of success, wealth, or physical strength, contributing to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

The Impact on Women’s Mental Health

Toxic masculinity doesn’t only affect men; women often bear the brunt of its consequences.

Gender Roles and Their Effects

Toxic masculinity reinforces harmful gender roles, leading to the marginalization of women. Women may feel pressured to conform to submissive roles or may face emotional or physical abuse from men who feel entitled to assert dominance.

The Role of Toxic Masculinity in Gender-Based Violence

There’s a direct link between toxic masculinity and gender-based violence. When men feel pressured to assert dominance and control, it can lead to abusive behaviors in relationships, creating unsafe environments for women.

The Impact on Society

Perpetuation of Harmful Gender Stereotypes

Toxic masculinity perpetuates damaging stereotypes, not just for men and women, but for everyone. These stereotypes create rigid gender roles that limit the potential for people to express themselves authentically.

Mental Health Effects of Toxic Masculinity

The mental health effects of toxic masculinity can include:

Anxiety
Depression
Higher risk for suicide
Increase loneliness
Increased risky behavior
Increased substance and alcohol use

As of 2018, significantly more men than women died from an opioid overdose.6 Men are far more likely to die by suicide than women.

How to stop it

If you want to stop toxic masculinity, you have to start questioning your own beliefs. Many male-identifying individuals have internalized the standards of toxic masculinity, oftentimes without even realizing it.

Ask yourself: Are there things I don’t do or say because I associate them with femininity? Do I hold certain “masculine” expectations for the male-identifying individuals in my life?

Once you know what you’re up against, it’s time to fight back. That means giving yourself permission to be who you are, even if that means showing emotion or “weakness.” And it means letting others do the same, too.

Conclusion

Toxic masculinity has far-reaching effects on both men and women, impacting mental health, relationships, and society as a whole. By promoting healthier expressions of masculinity, encouraging emotional vulnerability, and challenging outdated norms, we can create a more compassionate, inclusive world where everyone—regardless of gender—can thrive.